Gratitude

On the occasion of Thanksgiving I wanted to write about something that is relevant to people this time of year. Gratitude. I, like many others, forget to be thankful for the things that are in my life because it is so easy to overlook the blessings when you are busy complaining about the shortfalls. My mom always tells me that "when feeling down, always look at people below you, at people who aren't as fortunate as you because by seeing their suffering, your problems will look pretty minuscule." Puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

Long time ago I heard a story where a man goes to heaven and sees three stations. At the first station, there are several angels who are busy opening letters and sorting them. The man looks confused and asks an angel as to what's going on? The angel replies that this is the receiving department. Here, prayers and requests are received from man and presented to God. The man moves on to the next station. Here, the angels are equally busy packing envelopes and boxes. The man asks the angel to explain. Here is the shipping department, the angel explains, all the blessing and wishes that God has granted are shipped from here. The man moves on to the final station where he only sees one angel who is yawning. The man asks the angel what department is this? The angel says that this is the acknowledgment department. He says that human beings are very quick to ask for things and when God grants their wishes, they forget to say thanks so that's why this department is always slow.

Why do you think it is so hard to say a prayer in gratitude? Maybe because we take things for granted or maybe we think that it is our right and we deserve the things we have, but without God's benevolence, nothing is possible. He gives us this life to enjoy and He can easily take it away from us just like that. So I am making it my mission to say thanks everyday, not just on special occasions because the Sun comes out everyday, the air we breathe is a constant and He is the mastermind behind it. When he doesn't forget us for even a single moment, isn't it our duty to say thanks? Next time look around you and count your blessings because their abundance will outweigh shortfalls any day.

R