Gratitude

Gratitude is a feeling of being thankful.  You feel grateful for your family or other people you cherish, but how often do you tell them aloud, express this in writing or demonstrate it using other gestures? How often do you reinforce that priceless sense of appreciation? What was it in our personal histories that caused us to stop talking openly about how we feel? As we grow up, we tend to become quiet, downplay thoughts and feelings and hesitate to be open.  You may sense the world you grew up in does not respond kindly to openness or transparency.  People aren't taught to accept compliments graciously but often respond in disbelief.

Consider western societies include special occasions into calendars.  You may think of Father's Day, Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day, Valentine's Day, Vetran's Day, National Independence Days, and others. Ask yourself why it is necessary to remind yourself to take time to express gratitude for those people and freedoms or circumstances that you are thankful for. How do you think of yourself if you forgot birthdays and other special occasions? You may feel upset or sad when people don't acknowledge you.  Are you conditioned to only give and receive appreciation at specific times during the year.  How does your life transform as you become more spontaneous with kindness, compassion and appreciation?

Imagine what your life would be like if you felt appreciated by everyone. You wouldn't likely have an internal gauge that measures attention. It wouldn't matter if people didn't contact you on commercial holidays.  Look beyond the negative feelings you might feel if people seem to forget about you. What does this really say about how generous you are with self appreciation? Do you need reasons to be grateful? Why hold back your feelings? What do you fear? Be grateful for every moment.  Show others by example they too can live a more joyful life. 

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. -Jean Baptiste Massieu