Gratitude in simple term can be explained as ‘The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness’. It should be distinguished from thanks, which is too often a matter of words, and not accompanied by a feeling of thankfulness or by those actions which indicate a grateful mind. The grateful man feels joy at the kindness of his benefactor and cultivates a respect that is akin to love. Being thankful means to me is to see everything as a gift from God.I see my very life as a gift from God, and I am so thankful to know him.
He has always provided me with everything that I need. Each day of my life, I live for Jesus Christ. In almost all the relations of ordinary life the feelings of gratitude should be aroused. I owe my thanks to my parents for their unconditional love their tender care.
Their effort to provide me with the best from food, clothing to the school I study. Next, I am so thankful for my school, the teachers, and my close friends. Gratitude expresses itself in looks, words and deeds.The poor soldier, to whom Sir Philip Sydney on the field of Zutphen gave his cup of water, could only look his gratitude. When deeds are impossible, the expression of thanks is the best that can be done.
The inscriptions on the tombs and monuments erected by a nation to its great men are an expression of thanks in words. As for deeds, an old story will serve as an excellent illustration. An old man was found planting fruit trees by a friend who came to him and said, “Why do you plant trees which can never produce fruit in your time? The old man replied, “Others planted trees, the fruit of which I enjoy.Now I plant trees that those who come after may enjoy fruit. ” In conclusion, a word should be said about the baseness of ingratitude, which causes a man to be despised by his fellows and often brings its own punishments, insomuch as even the kind- hearted grow tired of conferring favours upon those who show no appreciation of such favours. No good man wishes to give pain, especially to those who have done him good.
The ungrateful man hurts the feelings of his benefactor and cannot, therefore, be a good man.
