11.3.14

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!

get the InLinkz code

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 


48 comments:

  1. On my Gratitude list today, is the Pootoo Bird. I just Binghis image whenever I need a smile!

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  2. Love the story about the red rose! Your pics are so pretty.

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  3. Today I am thankful for all of my blessings this year. I am healthy, happy, and have a wonderful family. I am also thankful for all of the amazing opportunities I am gaining through blogging.

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  4. Today I am thankful that my nine year old is getting better from a terrible cold. I am not too thankful that I now have it, but better me than him.

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  5. Beautiful post! Let's see, today I'm grateful for beautiful weather and getting to play outside with my daughter.

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  6. The Redwood Tree is gorgeous. Great natural inspiration.

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  7. I am so thankful for my fiance!

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  8. Beautiful pics! The Roses and the Tree are amazing. Gratitude is something the whole world could use more of! If I could give one thing to the world it would be the message of the importance of patience. I have learned over the years that patience is one of the master keys to a peaceful life.

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  9. I am always grateful for something, life is too marvelous not to appreciate it all! Today, I am just thankful that I am married to a wonderful man.

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  10. We are often so busy we don't think to stop and show gratitude. It doesn't take much though, and we usually feel much better once we have done something kind for another. I need to be grateful (and show it) more often!

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  11. What a beautiful story about the roses. It choked me up. Thank you for sharing!!

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  12. Beautiful photo of the tree. I am thankful for having two very healthy children.

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  13. Like your post, and you're absolutely correct. Actually, more than once. :)

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  14. I have an app I downloaded that is a gratitude journal. I was doing really good with keeping up with it, but then I felt like I was writing the same things every day. :(

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  15. Wow....what gorgeous pictures. I am grateful for my kids and their great doctor.

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  16. What beautiful photos. I have so much to be grateful for, but I'll start with my family.

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  17. I keep track of all the blessings that come my way. I call it a God spot journal and it's full of all the daily happenings I spot God in :)

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  18. I am thankful for my family. Beautiful story and pics!

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  19. I'm most thankful for my hubby, he's super supportive and always right there to cheer me on. He makes my day so much easier :)

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  20. Gratitude is directly related to happiness. Grateful people are proven to be happier.

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  21. Today I am thankful that I am going to be spending time with my nephew and sister this afternoon and evening.

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  22. What a great post, with a great message!

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  23. Beautiful photos. I am grateful for clean, salty air on the beach today!

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  24. i'm thankful for my family each day. without them i don't know where I'd be today

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  25. What a beautifully written post. I believe in showing kindness to express appreciation and reverence. It doesn't have to be large is size it it is a gift, just large in sentiment. I'm grateful today because after a very long and difficult winter the flowers are pushing up through the snow. Sweet signs of spring is wht I give thanks for today.

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  26. Very true Eliz, Giving without hoping for something in return always blesses us multifold when we least expect but need most. Thanks for sharing the sweet story of red roses...

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  27. What beautiful photos! I think the flowers are a great representation of being grateful - layers of a flower are like the layers of what I'm happy for in my life.

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  28. Beautiful thoughts and beautiful pictures! Glad you joined the linkup.

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  29. What a beautiful story of that young man. I have so much to be grateful for. I'm so grateful for my family and my life.

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  30. I try really hard every day to be grateful. I think being grateful makes you realize what blessings and miracles you already have.

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  31. The Rose story was so sweet. Love the photos too!

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  32. Gratitude can go a long way!! For many areas in life.

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  33. Beautiful stories - thank you for sharing!

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  34. Aww I loved the story about the man and the red rose. You never know what your small kindnesses can mean to someone.

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  35. What a lovely post....and a great reminder! Thanks!

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  36. Today I'm thankful that tomorrow is Friday:L)

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  37. What wonderful quotes and gratitude stories! I think it is important to be thankful for the things and people that are in your life! The photos of the roses are so beautiful as well!

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  38. I think it can be hard to be grateful in stressful situations. It's a great thing to step back and be grateful though!

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  39. love this post and am so glad i came upon it, i have so much to be thankful for and yes as silly as it may sound the air i breath is so precious to me.. i could go on but then i 'll be writing a book heheh thanks for this post and sharing with us.. @tisonlyme143

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  40. We have had the most awful of all possible terrible circumstances befall in the past few years. Tragic and horrible. We lost our 19 year old son. Without the love of our Father in heaven and a grateful heart and His ministering Spirit always always always by our side there is no way on earth we could have made it.

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  41. Your post reminds me to pay gratitude to my parents :) Sometimes I bury myself in work too deep that I forget about them. Thank you.

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  42. Thank you for this beautiful post. Exactly what I needed today to start the week off on a great note. Onwards!

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  43. This is a great post! The pictures are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing,

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  47. These are lovely flowers! This is an inspirational story as well.

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  48. Thank you for sharing. I am grateful today for my home, family and possessions. For food and warmth.

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