Finding one’s thankfulness is important because when we realize and regularly reflect upon our gifts, privileges, and thankfulness in life, we practice nurturing our appreciation for all we have. Consequently, we nurture an instinctive want to help others.
As such, finding one’s thankfulness in life is a cornerstone to establishing one’s self as a quiet leader.
Firstly, what is “Thankfulness”?
Thankfulness is the concept of reflecting upon anything in life that one considers to be a privilege, blessing, or comfort — literally, anything that you are thankful to have in life (or, conversely, something that you are thankful not have, such as illness).
The word “thankfulness” conjures up notions of religion (even dogma to some) because of our associations with many denomination’s practice of specifically giving thanks to God. While there is certainly no wrong in this practice, men and women who are not spiritual should realize that the concept of thankfulness does not have to necessarily mean the literal notion of giving thanks to God or a higher power for what has been given and provided to you.
In fact, simple and quiet reflection upon one’s thankfulness is an easy way to remain grounded and humble, to remind one’s self about who and what they care most about in life, and to foster within you a general appreciation for all that you have.
The Effect of Thankfulness
Routinely reflecting upon one’s thankfulness is humbling practice. To remind one’s self regularly of one’s gifts, advantages and privileges in life — however big or small — is the means to stay focused upon what is most important to you. It is the means to remove yourself from business of the “rat race” and reflect upon simple pleasures and happiness.
To take the time every day or night to reflect upon one’s thankfulness serves to open one’s mind, and one’s heart: the mind, because in regularly reminding one’s self of their gifts, advantages, privileges, we maturate our love, appreciation, and humility; the heart, by nurturing a deeply rooted desire within ourselves to enable others or give to others who have not all that you are so thankful for.
To remind yourself of these gifts regularly, you’ll feel generally happier every day, and further nurture an instinctive want to help others realize their gifts and be thankful in life as well.
Struggling to Find One’s Thankfulness
But what of those who struggle to find thankfulness or happiness, or realize the gifts that they offer to others and the word?
What of those who have been given so little?
What of those who have suffered so many difficulties in life?
Many people have great difficulty finding any thankfulness in life. For many, it’s justified. After all, renowned political philosopher Thomas Hobbes called human life, “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” In some regards, he was right. Life can be very unjust.
But those who struggle to find thankfulness in life must truly fight and strive to find their thankfulness, however difficult that may be. Thankfulness, however small, is a cornerstone to inner growth and an integral component of fostering the inner quiet leader.
Forgiveness:the First Step to Thankfulness
Some will never be able to forgive those that have hurt them, done wrong to them, or scarred them either on the outside or within. And truly, for having suffered such pains, one couldn’t ever blame someone else for being unable to forgive whoever has done them such painful wrongs.
But, forgiveness is the first step to fully realizing one’s thankfulness in life. Even those who cannot forgive those who have done wrong unto them must forge ahead and offer forgiveness, as a precursor to fully realizing their thankfulness.
Why forgive those who do not deserve forgiveness?
It is not so much “what has happened” to us in our lives that defines us, than it is our realizing that, as a result of the troubles and difficulties and hardships of “what has happened,” that we chose not to quit.
In Part II, we will explore the concept of forgiveness and thankfulness further.
 |
