GRATITUDE

Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. It is often said that Gratitude is the best medicine that not only heals our mind but also cleanses our body and spirit.

I experienced this recently...........

Recently, I drove to Nakuru for a business meeting. On the way, I took a break to refuel my car and have a cup of coffee. As I parked my car at the gas station and stepped into the adjacent restaurant, a young, smiling, and enthusiastic boy, welcomed me. As I placed my coffee order, I was lost in my thoughts wondering why was such a young person of probably 13-14 years was working here instead of studying and enjoying like other children! Unable to resist my curiosity, I asked him the reason for his working and his answer left me amazed. He mentioned that his parents and his 3 siblings resided in a nearby village. Working in tea plantations, they lived in a tiny cottage on the farm itself and their meager income was hardly enough to make both ends meet. He mentioned that though he would have loved to study, play, and enjoy like other children of his age, he chose to work day and night so that he could support his family’s daily livelihood! He smiled and mentioned that he was thankful to THE ALMIGHTY who gave him the strength to work! What a thought at this age despite being in such a situation in life!

Gazing out of the window and sipping my coffee, my mind traveled around the world and left me wondering! I felt that if we open our eyes and look around, we will find that the world is full of people, who though deprived of the basic needs of life are always thankful and express gratitude for whatever little they have in life. At the same time, I also realized that most of us have been blessed abundantly, and rather than being thankful for what we have been bestowed upon, we shed tears for what we don’t have!

Finishing my break, I drove towards my destination but simply could not erase the incident out of my mind for the rest of the day. I was reminded of Oprah Winfrey's beautiful and meaningful quote:

“Be thankful for what you have and you will end up having more;

But if you concentrate on what you don’t have you will never have enough.”

I strongly believe that more the thankful we are and acknowledge the good that we already have in our lives will lay a strong foundation for all abundance that we will receive.