Gratitude and the Glass We Hold - by Emmanuel Daniji

This morning, I sat at my desk, staring at a cup of coffee that had gone cold. Half full, half empty — it didn’t matter. What mattered was that I still had a cup. And in that quiet moment, it hit me: the cup was more than tea; it was life itself. See ehn, life is funny. Some people spend all their time arguing about whether the glass is half empty or half full, while others are just thankful they even have a glass — because some people are still looking for where to fetch water. That day, I remembered my friend Tunde — a classic “half empty” man. If you give Tunde a plate of jollof, he’ll say, “Why is there no plantain?” If you add plantain, he’ll say, “Why not dodo and chicken?” I once told him, “My brother, one day your cup will overflow, but you’ll still ask who drank from it first.” 😂 Truth is, gratitude is not denial. It’s direction.It doesn’t say, “I have all I want,” it says, “I’m thankful for what I have — and that’s enough for today.” --- <h3>The Parable of the Two Farmers</h3> Two farmers drew water from the same well. One complained that the well was too deep; the other thanked God that there was still water left.Guess whose bucket filled faster?Gratitude doesn’t change the depth of the well — it changes the strength of your pull. When we thank God for small things, we attract big ones. There’s a Yoruba saying friend's grandma used to shout whenever I grumbled:<blockquote>“Bi o bá dúpẹ́ fun ọwọ́ kekere, o ní rí ọwọ́ ńlá gba.”</blockquote>— “He who gives thanks for little will receive much.” I didn’t understand it then, but now I do. Gratitude is not grammar; it’s grace in action. --- <h3>The Mathematics of Gratitude</h3> Gratitude is life’s best calculator — it multiplies joy, divides sorrow, subtracts fear, and adds peace. Some people are busy comparing their glass to another person’s bottle, not knowing that contentment tastes sweeter than envy.The man who values his half cup of garri will smile longer than the one complaining about warm champagne. The secret is simple: when you stop counting what’s missing, you start discovering what’s meaningful. --- <h3>When the Glass Breaks</h3> Sometimes life won’t just be half full — it’ll be shattered. The job will end, the friend will leave, the dream will delay.But even then, gratitude whispers, “At least, I’m still standing to pick up the pieces.” When Paul said, “In everything give thanks,” he didn’t mean we should dance when life hits hard. He meant: don’t lose sight of the light, even in the dark. Even a broken glass can reflect sunlight — if you hold it right. --- <h3>The Real Privilege</h3> Forget the debates. Whether your glass is half full or half empty, the true privilege is that you have a glass at all. Many are still searching for one — for health, peace, love, or direction.If your glass has even a drop of something in it — joy, breath, a chance — cherish it. Because gratitude doesn’t change your portion, it beautifies it. --- <h3>My Final Sip</h3> Let the philosophers argue about volume. The grateful will drink from what’s there and smile. So today, I’ll say it again — be thankful for your glass, whatever its size, shape, or content.And if life ever empties it?Be grateful that you still have hands to lift it again. Because gratitude doesn’t just fill the glass — it keeps it from falling. 💧 — Emmanuel Habila DanijiRead || Understand || Nurture...RUN with it....

Other insights from Emmanuel Daniji

Referral Earning

Points-to-Coupons