A questioning mind is not always a disbelieving one. When dear blogger Sadje in one of her posts mentioned that we should be grateful for whatever we have in life as there are many who do not have even the basic minimum, I wholeheartedly agreed.
But since we live in the age of information and technology, I think our mind is conditioned to probe into the mechanics working beneath our emotions too.
So , why gratitude?
I got the answer in the book The Power Of The Subconscious Mind wherein the writer, Dr. Joseph Murphy says, “The thankful heart is always close to the creative forces of the universe, causing countless blessings to flow toward it by the law of reciprocal relationship, based on cosmic law of action and reaction.”
A grateful heart is supple and receptive to the divine blessings. Dr. Murphy calls it the Infinite Intelligence. Ungratefulness is a reflection of ego which makes us rigid and unreceptive.
Gratitude makes us humble. A humbled heart attracts health, healing, wholeness and happiness, Humility, therefore, is an enabler. As it is said in one of the Sanskrit shlokas in Hitopadesha –
विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम्।
पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम्॥
vidyā dadāti vinayaṁ vinayāddyāti pātratām।pātratvāddhanamāpnoti dhanāddharmaṁ tataḥ sukham॥
Knowledge gives humility. Humility gives worthiness (or capability). Worthiness helps in obtaining wealth. With wealth one does righteous deeds (dharma). Righteousness leads to lasting happiness.
The crucial thing here is we choose and be on the right path unwaveringly. Becoming worthy we should not fall prey to our ego and with wealth we should only focus on using it for good deeds.
Thus, the mool mantra (or the basic mantra) is to be forever gratitude and make it a habit rather than a practice.
I guess I am going to talk about this book more as I read on.
Post Script : This post is more a referral for my own self. If any reader benefits from this, it will be a bonus.
I’m sure I like this book. I probably have an ebook of this, but I lost time to read. Gratitude is what I do my best to feel daily. It’s super important!
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It’ It’s a good book Hazel
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For sure!
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And you get to learn many things from it. Read it if you have time.
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I like to check my TBR later if I have this book, but it’s so famous and transformative.
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Oh, I got his other book: life changing secrets co-authored by Napoleon Hill and Dale Carnegie. They are one of my favorite authors!
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In both Urdu and Arabic language gratitude is called Shukur.Three levels of gratitude or shukur are
Appreciate all blessings in heart,saying thanks with tongue and expressing gratitude by doing righteous deeds.
Gratitude is directly linked to inner peace and spiritual growth.
As you have rightly said Geeta Di, Gratitude should be a habit rather than a practice.
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Thank you Nusrat for enriching the post with your valuable comment.
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Gratitude truly changes the posture of our hearts. As I continue to struggle with fear, discouragement, and the waiting seasons of life, I find that thanking God for His faithfulness helps steady my heart. It reminds me of Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11-13, where he learned to be content in every circumstance, not because life was easy, but because Christ was his strength. That kind of contentment is something I continue to seek each day.
God Bless you.
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Willie, we are all in the same boat and we are all navigating the same oceanic pathway. God is very kind. Our faith in him is required to be unshakeable. God bless you too.
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Amen 🙏
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Wise words
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Thank you so much Derrrick 🙏
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“Gratitude and perspective often go hand in hand. When we learn to appreciate what we have, we begin to see life’s moments with greater clarity and positivity.” ✨
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Absolutely Safiaji. You have added a valid point to the discourse. Gratitude also enables us to learn and see things from a new standpoint. 👍
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Words of wisdom.
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Thank you so much 🙏 Rupali
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