Gratefulness

I have lots to be grateful for each day. This post is a special one to express my gratitude to my brother, Ronald Janki, for updating Late Blooms for me. I received a text from him a few days ago saying that he had been doing some “big changes” on the site and for me to take a look. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. We hadn’t had any discussion about this which makes it especially meaningful to me. The changes are awesome! From the very beginning of my blogging adventure, he’s the one who has enabled, encouraged, and promoted this site. This adventure has brought much joy and meaning to my days and I am truly thankful. “God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ’thank you?” (William Arthur Ward)My own experience of being grateful in life has taught me that the more grateful I am, the more good comes to me. I’ve noticed that people who do nice things for others are often genuinely caring and kind people whose hearts are in the right place. They are not seeking anything for themselves. Their own joy comes from making others happy and promoting their well-being. This is certainly the case with my brother. “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.” (Albert Schweitzer) ...

[caption id=“attachment_2970” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. Brother David Steindl-Rast[/caption] From the time we are infants, along with Mummy and Daddy, Yes and No, we are taught to say “Thank You.” Whatever the language spoken, country of origin, religious or ethnic background, or other factors of birth, the human species knows about gratefulness. We may not have been born grateful but we are certainly taught to be grateful by our parents, caregivers, and the larger society. There are many virtues, all of which are important, but according to Cicero: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Cicero, ‘Pro Plancio,’ 54 B.C. Roman author, orator, & politician (106 BC - 43 BC) Whether we agree or disagree with Cicero, we know just how important gratitude is to oil the wheels of positive social relations. We stand a better chance at making ourselves happy and bringing happiness to other people if we are grateful. ...