Purpose And Method For Expressing Gratitude

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Andamans

The opposite of gratitude is taking for granted. Either one is expressing gratitude or is taking for granted. There is no middle ground.

Why be grateful?

Because of an underlying spiritual principle which operates like a field of magnetism. Being grateful sustains the grace which is flowing into one's life and allows more grace to flow. Taking for granted does the opposite. It blocks grace from flowing in and dries up what is there. It is that simple.

One more analogy to nail the distinction. Being grateful is like being a fertile soil on which plants and trees can grow to give fruits, vegetable and flowers. Taking for granted is being like a cemented floor or rock.

So the thing to remember that being in a state of gratitude vs grantedness is a stance one is taking for future to unfold.

How to express gratitude?

There are levels of expressing gratitude and the deepest and most intimate one I have learned is the one proposed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg.

When you thank, tell the other person:

 1. What they did

 2. Which need of yours was fulfilled by their action

 3. How you feel because of their action

If you have not tried this framework of expressing gratitude, try it starting this thanksgiving and see the magic it creates.

And finally don't wait for expressing gratitude. Do it as often as you can. Be hungry and greedy to thank.

With love and gratitude.

 PS. Originally published on November 23, 2018 on LinkedIn.

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