Reflections: Gratitude Makes Miracles Happen...

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse. Henry Van Dyke

Simple gestures of gratitude create miracles

Every day miracles are not a thing of the past. The very breath we take is a miraculous gift of life. By the same token, events that give us pause are reminders that we live in a world where mystery and miracles exist. A Gratitude Story: A grateful student gave her favorite teacher a white rose, as a sign of gratitude for all the help the teacher had given her during a difficult time. The teacher was equally touched and placed the rose in a vase on her living room mantle. Days passed and the rose bloomed away. Weeks passed and it glowed brightly as if it had been cut the day before. Almost a month passed before it slowly dropped a petal and then another... The teacher was so taken by the miracle that it inspired a book....  When we act from a place of true gratitude, miracles, healing, and revelations happen.



"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." John Milton

Remembering to say thanks increases our miracles.

We give red roses to those we love but for once, let's consider giving a complete stranger a red rose and see how much it will lift and bless us too. What some of us tend to forget is that when we give freely and joyfully, we are quadruply blessed. Giving of our time, love, effort, kindness, and compassion are all forms of prayer. Our actions bless us, the recipients and, by extension, humanity; they create a ripple of blessings that uplift us and others. This is why all the great spiritual teachers taught us about selflessness which is the opposite of selfishness. We limit our contributions to the world when we are selfish, cliquish, and limited in our love quotient. By love, I mean respect, care, consideration, and support.  We all benefit from acts of gratefulness; both directly and indirectly.

Another Gratitude Story: Once, a lady was walking home after a long and difficult day at work. There had been a turnover and many colleagues were fired that day. She was spared and was grateful.  To cheer herself up, she stopped and bought some red roses for her bedroom. As she continued her walk home, she turned a corner and bumped into a young man, knocking his cap off his head. She apologized  profusely as she picked up the cap and handed it to him.  He smiled sadly at her, took the cap and started to leave. Immediately, she stopped him and handed him one of her roses. At that point, he burst into tears. "My mom just passed away after a long battle with cancer. Before she died, she promised to look out for me and send me signs when I feel down". He said
"Signs? What sort of signs?"  The lady asked the young man.
"She promised to send me a red rose to cheer me up.... Your rose is that message." He replied. Yes, she sent a sign through a grateful stranger.
More below

“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.”–Tecumseh (1768-1813) 


 

Every thing that grows is a miracle of life

Every little act we perform and every thought we hold can be a blessing or a curse to others and to ourselves. Gratitude and a prayer of thanks can move mountains... Have a thankful day!
What are you grateful for today? When you think of Gratitude, what images arise... The beautiful  flowers and the gigantic tree remind me of the beauty in nature and how they add to our joy. I am grateful for all forms of life and the good that embraces us all daily. 

How to get involved in the Gratitude Linkup:
Write and post an entry in your own blog containing your gratitude list for a moment in time.
Share the URL to your gratitude blog post by clicking the "add your link" button at the end of this post and filling out the information.
Share the Gratitude Linkup with your blog readers by clicking the "get the InLinkz code" link at the end of this post and copy/past the appropriate code into your gratitude blog post.
Visit some of the blogs listed in the Gratitude Linkup and comment on their posts.
Viola! Have a great Week ahead!

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Some Food for Thought: Do you keep a Gratitude Journal? What are you Thankful for today? If you could give one thing  to others in the world as a gift for your Thankfulness, what would it be? Love and Peace!

I would love to hear from you: Please leave me a comment. Thank You!

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photographs: Rose, Sherman tree, white rose, via Wikipedia, News media, Flickr or my personal collection.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet