Fortune News | Aug 21,2021
Nov 30 , 2019
By Tibebu Bekele
I am not a big fan of importing cultural holidays from the West and commercialising them here in Ethiopia. But I also realise in this 21st century globalised world, it is impossible to stop the cross-pollination of cultures. If that is inevitable, the one American traditional holiday I would not mind celebrating is Thanksgiving. For one thing it is the least commercialised of them all. But more importantly, it is about two values that I believe are virtuous – family and gratefulness.
Gratefulness and a spirit of gratitude is sadly lacking in this country. Listening to the public discourse these days makes one wonder if there was ever any good that has ever happened in this old country. It seems like every historical figure is portrayed as the devil incarnate. If one was to go by what is being said these days, one will reach the conclusion that this must be the most wretched place in the world.
But it is not. Sure, a fair share of bad historical incidents have happened here. Like everywhere else. It is true there have been cover-ups and the over glorification of some and under representation of others in the country’s history. Like everywhere else. Sure, these things need to be changed and historical mistakes need to be acknowledged and corrected. Like everywhere else. And the process of getting there will be contentious and bitterly contested. Again, that is not unique to Ethiopia. That is how it is everywhere. But the level of bitterness and total lack of perspective and balance is frightening.
“First, it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received,” says Robert Emmons, explaining gratitude. In the second part of gratitude, he explains, “We recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves…We acknowledge that other people…gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”
Every person, institution or country has received many good gifts from society. Nobody is a recipient of only bad things. The same goes about family. Not every family history is filled with goodness and love. There are skeletons in every family’s closets. There are misunderstandings and hurts that happen along the way. Some of these are very painful and hard to get over.
But gratitude is a choice. It is a choice to overcome the pain and disappointment of life by refusing to let them be the only things one sees. It is a resolve to not be dominated by only the negative energy in the world. Because that is not the whole picture. That is not reality. There is a lot of good and beautiful things as well. And gratitude is an attitude that says, "I choose to see the good also." It is about refusing to turn a blind eye to the good and obsess exclusively about the bad.
“However, it is not simply an emotional response; it is also a choice we make. We can choose to be grateful, or we can choose to be ungrateful—to take our gifts and blessings for granted. As a choice, gratitude is an attitude or disposition,” says Angeles Arrien in her book “Living in Gratitude”.
Therefore, as the debates and arguments of the coming election year intensify, it is good to remember that this country, with all its problems, also has had its good moments too. There are dark clouds hovering over. But the sunrise this morning was just beautiful. I have seen them both. I choose to dwell on the beautiful sunrise.
PUBLISHED ON
Nov 30,2019 [ VOL
20 , NO
1022]
Fortune News | Aug 21,2021
Films Review | May 02,2020
Photo Gallery | 96755 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 88938 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 67173 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | 65763 Views | Oct 02,2021
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
Apr 6 , 2024
In a rather unsettling turn of events, the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (C...
Mar 30 , 2024
Ethiopian authorities find themselves at a crossroads in the shadow of a global econo...
Apr 20 , 2024
Ethiopia's economic reform negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in their fourth round, taking place in Washington, D...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
An undercurrent of controversy surrounds the appointment of founding members of Amhara Bank after regulat...
An ambitious cooperative housing initiative designed to provide thousands with affordable homes is mired...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Ethiopia's juice manufacturers confront formidable economic challenges following the reclassification of...
Loading your updates...