To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,
to enact gratitude is generous and noble,
but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven [Johannes A. Gaertner].
Beyond the occasional thank-you note you manage to get in the mail, or the quick, “Thanks!” you utter, are you truly living a life of gratitude?
Running around. Living our lives at an exhausting pace.
Too hectic. Too much. Too little time.
We’re so busy looking for that and building this and trying to squeeze ourselves into the next 60 minutes.
It’s no wonder we scarcely notice the kindness from a stranger, acknowledge the generosity of a friend, or remember the thoughtfulness of a family member as we rush to and fro, trying to meet expectations and deadlines and self-imposed ideals.
Our lives are so busy we need a reminder to be thankful. We have to schedule our gratitude. Fortunately, we have a day set aside just for this purpose. An exit ramp, if you will, from the rat race to a thankful place.
A mandated respite to cherish kindness, honor sacrifices, recall our blessings.
After the traveling and meal preparations and dinner table discussions. When the dishes are cleared away and the left-overs are put away. Let’s not forget that tomorrow is really about pausing to remember, reflect, and reach out.
It’s our opportunity to acknowledge the kindness and generosity, the courage and sacrifice of others. To sincerely appreciate our blessings.
But we need not wait for one day on the calendar to be grateful. We should strive to live a life marked by thanksgiving.
Make it a habit to tell people thank you.
To express your appreciation
sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.
Truly appreciate those around you,
and you’ll soon find many others around you.
Truly appreciate life,
and you’ll find you have more of it.
Commit to living a life of gratitude every day. “Take nothing for granted. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude” [Albert Schweitzer].
Whatever you are, be a good one!
Deanna
Whatever You Are, Be a Good One 