June 23: Day 174

STONE TWELVE CONTINUED
 
Thank: I am grateful. Gratitude helps me bring out the positive in my life and also makes room for The Divine to bring additional positive situations, people, and spiritual experiences into my life. I thank those who have guided me on my path.

Instruction: Appreciate those who help.

The last part of Stone Twelve encourages us to thank those who have guided us on our spiritual path. A word of gratitude often does wonders for a person’s resolve to help others. Sometimes those who give their lives in service feel unappreciated, overlooked, taken advantage of, and taken for granted. A kind word or gesture goes a long way. Mark Twain said: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”[1] I think I could live at least one month on a mediocre compliment. People appreciate being appreciated. It’s that simple, and it makes us want to get up the next day and do more. It makes our lives feel worthwhile and meaningful. Without the occasional pat on the back, we often get discouraged and consider quitting. A simple “Thank you for what you are doing” goes a long way. Encouragement is simple, easy, and free. The benefits far outweigh the minimal effort it takes to pass it out, so why don’t we? I think most of us simply forget. We get caught up in our own world and forget to pay attention to any agenda but our own.

If we need any convincing as to the effectiveness of appreciation, we only have to look at our own lives and examine the times when we have been helped and encouraged by a kind word of gratitude. We probably shouldn’t turn this into a “what does it do for me” practice, because that could taint our motivation and leave us disappointed if we don’t see immediate results. When we appreciate others, we will discover that others will begin to express their appreciation of us as well. As Stone Twelve states, our gratitude makes room in our lives for more positive situations and people to appear. Gratitude is one more way of expressing love in the world. It is a way of acknowledging another’s presence and stating, “I see you, and I want to see you as The Divine sees you, too.”

Today’s Assignment is to write a letter, send an email or text, or call someone to thank them for their positive influence in your life. If you’d like to go a step further, giving a gift can also be a simple way to express gratitude. It doesn’t have to cost anything to send a gift. A single flower picked from your garden can make a huge difference to someone’s life.

[1] http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marktwain100358.html#s6acb8xdCv4bUfy5.99