Living in Gratitude

As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget that the
highest appreciation is not

to utter words,
but to live by them.

John F. Kennedy

This quote by JFK always sticks with me for some reason. I admit I have no clue about the context of the quote, or what was said before or after... it doesn't even matter. All I know is that phrase always finds me. And, lately I see a running "theme" going on in my life that totally points back to those words. I see and read things even when I am not "looking" for them, so I know I am just meant to truly digest this and live it.

I guess I always believed it, but recently I have more clarity about what it means to truly live with an appreciative demeanor. I have more clarity about how to do that, too.

Why does it always irk me when a smoker throws their cigarette butt out their car windows? Easy.... because to me that gesture is saying, "F U !!" to the world. To me. To society. To everyone. The smoker may not notice it or even fathom it, but that is clearly the gesture I get from it. To me it is as bad as someone just blatantly giving you the middle finger as you drive past them.

Is that living with gratitude?

Is it living with gratitude to leave your cart in the middle of the parking lot for "someone else" to deal with and put away properly?

Is it living with gratitude to hem and haw and tailgate people not going the exact same speed as you on the freeway?

Is it living with gratitude to make a clerk's life miserable because a mistake was made at a store? Or restaurant? Or anyplace?

Is it living in gratitude when we IGNORE each other on the streets? Afraid to make eye-contact. Afraid to utter a simple "hello." Or, maybe "afraid" is too strong a word. How about "too busy" or too "self involved." Everyone walks around talking in their phones and listening to their own music in their iPods... connecting with people all around the world, but not those right in front of their face.

Is it living in gratitude when we hoard every penny we make. Or when we won't help someone out unless there is money or gifts exchanged? Or when we hem and haw if we ever have to give a little extra of ourselves every once in awhile?

Yes, it is very clear. Being thankful is way more than uttering the word. We have so much to be thankful for.... look at our lives! When I want light, I FLIP a SWITCH. Are we supposed to take that awesome invention for granted just because it's been around for awhile? A divine thought came to life.... we created light for our dark nights. We don't know how it works... something about electricity and some atoms doing stuff???? I don't have to know how it works... but I expect it to work, just the same. I am thankful for this. How about our homes? Our cars? The sky? Water? Trees? Money? Clothes? Lightening? Snow? Rain? Births? Deaths? It is ALL meant to be appreciated. (Even if you think it is bad)

Being Kind = Being Thankful. Isn't that beautiful???

And what is even more beautiful is we don't have to make something up. We can just FIND opportunities to extend kindness staring at us. But, the key is... you have to have your eyes open so you can see it. You have to have your iPod muted so you can hear it. You have to have your heart prepared to do it. And your ego has to be tied and gagged in a dark room so it can't interfere. It will happen quickly. You can't afford Ego butting in and casting doubt on you.

When we extend acts of kindness, respect ourselves and others, respect nature and our communities and take care of each other; THEN we are living the appreciation instead of merely uttering those words.

"Thank You" is meaningless without the attitude and action.