Wherever we go, I hope we never leave gratitude behind. Let it accompany us along every step we take. If we spare a little time to think and look back on what we have been through, we will realise a great deal of blessings poured to us. Set aside the thought about how miserable our life is, and think of good things we have. That way, we will feel a little more grateful.

Wait, you still cannot feel grateful? Let’s take another trick. For this one, I have a recent experience. First, let me tell you I am far from pious, I am not yet meet the image of how a Muslim girl should be. I am trying to be, though. On my way there, right now, I am still learning to be grateful. Here is my story.

Ever since I was accepted in the university, I had been wishing to be a part of a language and culture learning service. The idea to be a tutor for foreigners who want to learn our language was intriguing. When the office finally held a selection for tutors, I enrolled right away. I passed the first test, I was grateful. Next phase, I passed it too, another gratitude. I had a high expectation that I would be accepted. As for the last test, I did not hear any news at the supposedly announcement day. Then, I thought maybe I was not accepted. I was a bit disappointed, and my high expectation suddenly dropped. I tried to let go, and kept thinking positive that Allah might have a better way for me. Until a couple of days later, a friend of mine told me my name was on the list of the new tutors! The rush of bliss was unexpectedly high in me. I expressed my gratitude as much as I could, for I did not expect it to happen to me. My gratitude might not be that much if I had known from the start about my acceptance.

Months had passed, and I have been doing my responsibility in tutoring. However, I could not meet the total time allotment due to my activities and my student’s. At the end of a program, I would be given reward for some rupiah, hourly basis. I learnt that my senior earned much amount of money, when the others only received one-third or so of her wage. I was amazed, she said that she was diligent and even hold tutorials every day. No wonder she got that much. Then, I was wondering, how much would I get? I did not apply for the money, but, still, who was not happy to be given money? (:p) I was feeling inferior to this senior. She was so industrious and she got that amount. Compared to her story, I felt like I did not do that much. I did a simple math out of it, and came at a conclusion that I would probably earn a quarter of her amount. Again, my expectation was failed to fly high. I was like, okay, alhamdulillah, I got a reward and I made money on myself, how delightful.

I had not taken my wage until some days ago, when I finally had time. Do you know how I felt when reading a nominal on the envelope? I was so surprised of the amount I got. It was thrice as much as what I expected! An instant gratitude, a great deal of it, hit me in joy. I did not expect to get that much, so my gratefulness was many times greater. If I had not lower my expectation, I might not be grateful that much.

Can you see the pattern from those two occurrences? I did not expect too much of something. Through some disappointments, Allah had reminded me not to expect things too high. Fortunately, I did lower my expectations, so I felt like I had got a great deal of luck. The feeling was indescribably amazing, you should experience it on your own to know. I guess that was an easy way to get you more grateful of something. Remember, guys, if we are thankful, Allah will grant us more. I hope my simple words could help you better yourself.

Simply be grateful for everything, then the life of Riley is only some steps ahead! No te rindas! :)