gratitude
noun \ grat·i·tude \ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\: a feeling of appreciation or thanks.
Gratitude. Pretty simple concept. Being appreciative or thankful for something, someone, an event, a happening.
Just noticing and recognizing that there are a multitude of things to be grateful for is an important part of my everyday life.
The tagline of my blog is “finding the extraordinary in the ordinary” and that is part of the whole gratitude thing in my mind. Taking the time to see those extraordinary things and acknowledging them with thankfulness. Yes. That is how I mean to live my life.
Just today I observed something that made me very grateful. We had a bunch of tree trimming done on our property and there are some pretty massive trees that needed trimmed. The company we hired is actually the one that plowed out our driveway last winter when we got that 13 inches of snow that supposedly happens once every 20 years.
Before the guys started working on trimming the massive pine in the front yard they prayed. Yes. They prayed. Now that made me very grateful. It is not easy work to trim trees and there is definitely a lot of skill required. Things could turn bad in an instant. But these guys recognize that. They prayed. I was grateful. I found it a little extraordinary. Not that I should because prayer is the basis of my life but still. To know that 4 guys were praying about safety before they did the job made me grateful.
This wasn’t even the largest tree but you get the general idea.
Being grateful does not even have to cost a single penny. Showing gratitude to others is as simple as saying thank you.
It can be a compliment given to a store employee.
Gratitude can be shown by pointing out a strength in someone and encouraging them to do something with that strength.
Writing a note to someone who has made a difference in your life is a great way to show gratitude.
Give a larger tip than is normal. I guarantee that will make a server’s day.
Write a glowing review for a product or service you received on Yelp or Facebook.
Pay it forward in a drive thru line.
Simply being present for someone and listening to them is a perfect way to show your gratitude.
Gratitude can change the world. I am convinced of it.
So tell me–what will YOU do today to express your gratitude. I would love to hear about it in the comments section. Remember that for each comment on the blog this month there will be a 5o cent donation to the American Diabetes Association. You can read more about my Comments for a Cause by clicking here.
16 Comments
Leave a commentThank you for the reminder. I agree it is very encouraging to receive a kind or appreciative word. I know how good it makes me feel.
Meg, Thanks for stopping by! We all need to be reminded to count those small gratitudes. Me, especially. I can take things for granted and I don’t want to. We all have something to be grateful for every single day!
I am grateful the Cubs won. Chicago is so happy. We needed a little bit of happy dust flying around this city. And I am grateful the team is a group of good guys. Yes, they’ve had problems but they’ve taken responsibility and worked on them. I am grateful the fans of Chicago have been responsible winners and have felt free to show childlike joy. I am grateful for the divine intervention that showed up when the team and fans needed it the most. And today when the parade turns traffic upside down….I will do my best to sip my Starbucks, smile, and feel grateful for it is over! 😀
Have a most wonderful day!
I am grateful the Cubs won even if I am a semi Cleveland fan! 🙂 Being from Ohio and all. But you are right—it seemed like there was civility in the game and in the responses from both teams and that is refreshing in this time when people seem to be caught up in spewing hate and disrespect, right? Thanks for stopping by and sharing your gratitude! I am grateful for YOU!
I truly believe that the world can be changed one person at a time through thankfulness. Thanks for adding to the positive change in the world.
Thanks, Bernadette. Is is nice to have others who “get” it and who agree read this post. I think small actions are important. It can turn a day around.
Being grateful for everything, including the little things, make´s one a happier person. I try to be thankful at all times. I sometimes find others don´t know how to respond to gratefulness and wave me off as being silly. But that doesn´t stop me. How wonderful that the workers stopped to pray befoe proceeding. That must have been touching to witness. I am thankful for your blog.
And this is exactly why we are friends, Darlene! I think we have a very similar take on life and on recognizing our blessings and being grateful. And yes—don’t ever stop even if folks don’t know how to take it.
This is absolutely uplifting, to read that these tree trimmers prayed before starting their task. Men of God. I am grateful for them.
Already this morning, I emailed a friend thanking him for his support and for organizing the Angel Tree at our church. In my prayers this morning, I thanked God for the gifts of protection, an friend’s new baby, healing and more. I am grateful.
And I am grateful for the expected 70-degree temp here in Minnesota today. One less day of winter.
Unseasonably warm weather is definitely something to be thankful for! I totally agree–1 less day of winter is a very wonderful thing. We are in NYC and the weather is a bit cloudy and breezy but warmish enough to just have a light sweater. Perfect. And yes—having those guys pray before working—wonderful blessing. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your gratitudes with me!
Points for not adding “Send $5 by Paypal to the blogs you read.” So I’ll add that.
We were living parallel lives — I had 4 men, also praying, in my backyard taking down our big tree. Thankfully, aside from one dented eavesdrop, everything went smoothly and no injuries. For which I am very grateful. Also to those helpful men who arrived when we needed them most.
So many things that folks do these days under the “random acts of kindness” banner are things we were taught to do on an everyday basis as children: hold the door for someone, say please and thank you, smile at people you meet.
I’m sure that was a pleasant sight to see those tree guys pray before the job.
The charitable organizations that you and Chris select each month, I am sure, are filled with gratitude!
As usual I find myself grateful that there is this lil’ gem in my email inbox from a wise woman about gratitude. For this I thank you.
Ah. I don’t think I have ever been called a wise woman before. Thank you. Taking a bow.