Recently I've expressed how incredibly grateful and blessed I feel to be able to be in Australia- to spend New Years Eve by the Harbour; to attend the youth conference; to be able to go to Samoa in February.
But then it dawned on me, how is this gratitude shown?
Yes, I feel thankful and so humbled, and I feel like God has blessed me with these opportunities, but how do I show my appreciation and true gratitude?
7 comments:
Mom
said...
How to show gratitude?
A few things come to mind as possibilities: Prayers of thankfulness, igniting the hearts and souls of others with divine knowledge, service to our fellow human beings, service on the pathway of the Beloved, doing things to bring happiness to others (in the form of favors and the like), developing the talents and virtues which have been bestowed upon us, donating to a worthy cause, and being a happy and joyful being.
[Did I mention doing something especially nice for your mother? :D ]
"Show gratitude"...well, cherish it and enjoy it first...then continue to earn it. Others had the best answers...I would add that a really good way is to help others...not just in big, grand plans...but in small ways, too. I always clean the sink in the ladies room after I wash my hands because I know it makes it easier for the cleaning lady; and it makes it more pleasant for any one who follows me. I pick up paper off the floor because the cleaning lady won't have to bend over to pick it up...it seems like it would be hard for her...did I mention do something especially nice for your mother?
You are so wise Ailene! I think its fantastic that your asking these questions at what is such an important stage of your life.
I try and remind myself that every day is a gift that your given from the Almighty. What you do with that gift is ultimately the expression of your gratitude...
All of these ideas are great, especially the one about being good to your mom. I do think that teaching should be right up at the top there... cause I think there's no greater gift you can give another person that to connect their heart with the Blessed Beauty.
I've been thinking about your question on how to show gratitude and the answers posted on your blog, and it seems to me that there's a step that could be inserted, which is deliberate intention to (possibly immediate) action.
This makes a connection between having the thought or feeling of gratefulness and then doing something concrete to show it, i.e., "I am so grateful for this incredible blessing of (fill in the blank) and I want to show it by (fill in this action blank, such as a prayer, teaching, helping someone, etc.)."
Not only will this give form to the feeling, it will strengthen the gratitude in our hearts and souls (and then an upswell of even more joy, gratitude and service. A lovely cycle!).
It's the difference between just feeling the gratitude and showing the gratitude.
7 comments:
How to show gratitude?
A few things come to mind as possibilities: Prayers of thankfulness, igniting the hearts and souls of others with divine knowledge, service to our fellow human beings, service on the pathway of the Beloved, doing things to bring happiness to others (in the form of favors and the like), developing the talents and virtues which have been bestowed upon us, donating to a worthy cause, and being a happy and joyful being.
[Did I mention doing something especially nice for your mother? :D ]
Hmmmm, Well Prayer, Service, reminding yourself how thankful you are. Its between you and God :)
Whole sentences in Prayer exist in front of your being and help you to service for this beautiful world.
"Show gratitude"...well, cherish it and enjoy it first...then continue to earn it. Others had the best answers...I would add that a really good way is to help others...not just in big, grand plans...but in small ways, too. I always clean the sink in the ladies room after I wash my hands because I know it makes it easier for the cleaning lady; and it makes it more pleasant for any one who follows me. I pick up paper off the floor because the cleaning lady won't have to bend over to pick it up...it seems like it would be hard for her...did I mention do something especially nice for your mother?
You are so wise Ailene! I think its fantastic that your asking these questions at what is such an important stage of your life.
I try and remind myself that every day is a gift that your given from the Almighty. What you do with that gift is ultimately the expression of your gratitude...
All of these ideas are great, especially the one about being good to your mom. I do think that teaching should be right up at the top there... cause I think there's no greater gift you can give another person that to connect their heart with the Blessed Beauty.
So happy for you Ailene! Much love.
John
I've been thinking about your question on how to show gratitude and the answers posted on your blog, and it seems to me that there's a step that could be inserted, which is deliberate intention to (possibly immediate) action.
This makes a connection between having the thought or feeling of gratefulness and then doing something concrete to show it, i.e., "I am so grateful for this incredible blessing of (fill in the blank) and I want to show it by (fill in this action blank, such as a prayer, teaching, helping someone, etc.)."
Not only will this give form to the feeling, it will strengthen the gratitude in our hearts and souls (and then an upswell of even more joy, gratitude and service. A lovely cycle!).
It's the difference between just feeling the gratitude and showing the gratitude.
Thank you for this thought-provoking question!
Good question!
My answer might be simple, but I think it works well.
“Help others as you have been helped!” hehe!
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