Why Be Grateful

"Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road."-John Henry Jowett

Have you ever sent a gift to someone and waited for that little thanks, which never came? Have you ever assisted a friend who was in trouble and saved them the day, only to be ignored and forgotten? I know, i know. I was taught It's more blessed to give than to receive, and that we shouldn't expect anything in return after doing acts of kindness. But, isn't ungratefulness a form of disservice, in fact, mean? This is the reason i feel strongly about this dying if not missing virtue. If there's one change i really want to see happen in this planet, it's finding more gratefulness around us.

Some of the best kind of giving has come from someone's lack, being a friend to the friendless, praying for the sick, and saving someone's life. In my case, i like cheering people, or lifting someone out of depression. I also enjoy making handmade stuff, like a little artwork, finding the right book to encourage someone. I can't say i have a lot to give away, but, i try to make small donations for a favorite charity, some worthy cause, visiting the sick at the hospital or cooking for a needy family. There are so many ways to make a difference in other people's lives. It really doesn't require much, especially when given with a joyful and grateful spirit.

We can look at life and be cold and skeptical. I know people who are more angry about everything, they hardly see anything good no matter which corner they look. Even when a neighbor drop goodies at their doorstep, like freshly picked fruits or veggies, they rather grumble. Others are just haters, and spew curses at every Tom, Dick and Harry, the cat, the dog, the dead and the living. They find nothing to be happy, nor be thankful about. I say go ahead and hate the rotten system and all putridness that abound. But for God's sake, don't be blind to the good life grants us, big or small.

I have to admit that when i was young, i was somewhat ungrateful about the goodness that loving folks showed me. I took a lot of things for granted, and even believed that all these favors were owed to me. To think that i made it alone wihout the support of family and community was arrogant and so self centered. In due time, i was enlightened. I made a promise never to take anything for granted and to be more expressive in my appreciation.

It was Albert Schweitzer who said: At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." -

“For each new morning with its light,For rest and shelter of the night,For health and food, for love and friends,For everything Thy goodness sends.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" -William A. Ward

"Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic"-John Henry Jowett

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life." -Christiane Northrup

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." -Brian Tracy

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” -William Arthur Ward

“To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.” -Albert Schweitzer

“Let's be grateful for those who give us happiness; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul bloom.” -Marcel Proust

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God";
-The Bible Phil 4:6 NKJV