{"id":3203,"date":"2011-12-02T02:03:48","date_gmt":"2011-12-02T10:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.noomii.com\/blog\/?p=3203"},"modified":"2011-12-02T02:04:36","modified_gmt":"2011-12-02T10:04:36","slug":"does-gratitude-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.noomii.com\/blog\/?p=3203","title":{"rendered":"Does Gratitude Matter?"},"content":{"rendered":"
This is a guest post entered in the Spirit of Giving Blogging Contest<\/a>. All opinions are those of the author.<\/div>\n

\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cAt times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d
\nAlbert Schweitzer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gratitude shines from the heart of a child even for the simple things.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0As adults it is easy to forget that simple things are often the best things we can give or receive.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0As a society we are fixated on giving things that are material and often miss what is even more valuable, our time, our relationships, our smiles and our friendships.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Say Thank-you<\/h2>\n

Gratitude is the simple act of being thankful for what we have.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0In our fast paced society we are hard pressed to make time to give or take time to receive what others would like to offer us.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 One of the most precious gifts is time, something we have only a fixed amount of each day and often we don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t use that time to notice the world around us.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Have you ever captured the beauty of a sunrise or sunset and marveled at its beauty.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Look at the grandeur around you and be amazed at the spectacular beauty and then just take a few minutes to jot down what you saw and now it made you feel.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Acknowledge the things that you take for granted each day and say, \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cThank-you\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Make Relationships Matter<\/h2>\n

When was the last time you acknowledged the most significant people in your life?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe there are some relationships that have been strained or challenged and not as strong as you\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2d like. Take some time and write a letter of gratitude and tell that person the positive things you appreciate about them.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Send the letter to them and then set up a time where you can meet face to face and then read that letter to them.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Express your gratitude for who they are and what they mean to you.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0You\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2ll have a chance to change their life.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Be grateful for friends, family, sons, daughters, husbands, wives and those who are close to you.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0If you don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t have any friends then visit someone who doesn\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t have any friends and create a friendship. Take the time right now to write that letter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Give someone a smile<\/h2>\n

When was the last time you smiled at someone you didn\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t even know? Smiling at someone can transform their whole day.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Research has shown that acts of kindness or having a positive attitude are infectious.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Happiness spreads. Smiling at someone is an act of kindness.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It doesn\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t cost anything to give and just that act may transform a person\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s life.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Try smiling at five people you don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t know, at work, during shopping or any place where there are people you don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t know.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Find out what happens when you smile.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0What do you feel when you smile at someone?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0What do you see when you smile at someone?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Go ahead and try it right now, smile, no bigger than that, a really big smile. Go look in a mirror and smile.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0How did it feel?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Smiling is powerful, try it and most of all give it away others, they will be grateful.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Be grateful<\/h2>\n

Being grateful doesn\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t have to cost a thing.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It could be as simple as a smile.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 It could be a letter to a friend that would love to hear from you.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It could be saying thank-you in a way that would boost the spirit of another person.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It could be a few minutes with someone who needs your words, your touch or your listening ear.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Being grateful can be expressed in many ways.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It turns out that being grateful leads to living a happier life. What can you do today to be more grateful?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Thank-you!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cOne of the most satisfying experiences I know is fully to appreciate an individual in the same way I appreciate a sunset. When I look at a sunset…I don’t find myself saying, ‘Soften the orange a little more on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color…’ I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch it with awe as it unfolds.\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Carl Rogers<\/p>\n

Related Posts<\/H3>