How do you express your gratitude?
The content explores the essence of gratitude towards both the Supreme Being and nature. This sentiment is particularly highlighted through the beauty of a monsoon evening. The narrator expresses heartfelt thankfulness for the interconnectedness of life, illustrated by vibrant scenes of nature and animals. Gratitude is portrayed as a vital human trait that fosters kindness and collective appreciation among individuals. The text emphasises the importance of acknowledging help from others. This intrinsic feeling of gratitude strengthens human connections. It also promotes mutual respect. Ultimately, it serves to remind us to recognise life’s blessings. Everyone should express appreciation for acts of kindness.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article explores the theme of gratitude towards the Supreme Being and nature, emphasizing their interconnectedness.
- Gratitude fosters kindness and strengthens human connections, encouraging appreciation for life’s blessings and the help of others.
- The narrative illustrates moments of inspiration, particularly during monsoon evenings and the beauty of nature.
- Human beings have an inherent sense of gratitude. This gratitude shows itself in various ways. These include acts of kindness and expressions of thanks.
- Ultimately, the message conveys that humanity persists through mutual respect, cooperation, and acknowledgment of goodwill.
Prayer
O Almighty! Omnipresent and omnipotent!! I bow to thee and thank you a lot for allowing me to see the beautiful evening. My heart is buoyant. It fills me with joy as I see You creating a myriad of artistically crafted pieces of art. Invigorating beautiful trees laden with sweet fruits, lush campestral, blooming flowers, and hovering bumblebees around…
Swamped
The prayer was coming from the heart. Standing on the edge of his terrace and watching the setting sun on the horizon, he was overwhelmed. His eyes brimmed, and his heart filled with gratitude towards the unseen and the most powerful Soul. He unblinkingly stared at the sky, which displayed a stunningly beautiful natural play of colours and enchanting nephographs. These formations appeared like abstract art. Words flowed out instantaneously. With folded hands, he expressed his deep gratitude towards the most powerful Supreme Soul (Param Ātmā or Parmātmā).
Pleasant weather
The weather had become soothing. Heavy thunder showers considerably reduced the humidity. Supplementing the weather, a blowing moisture-laden breeze cooled down the atmosphere. He started circumambulating the terrace. Deeply engrossed in obligated thoughts for the Supreme Soul he walked slowly with hands folded. “Supreme Soul”, he murmured adding further, “Param Brahma”.
Welcoming monsoon
After a long spell of scorching heat, humid and sultry weather, the monsoon had arrived. The morning showers provided a welcome relief from the blazing heat and oppressive humid weather. As the raindrops started falling, the parched earth emitted petrichor as a token of goodwill gesture to Him. It is probably the way of expressing appreciation towards the giver. As the day progressed, the dispersed clouds made many eye-catching abstract shapes of attractive hues and colour mixtures. It reaches a crescendo in the evening. With each passing moment, the variety and types of structures become intense and enchanting.
The sun
From the time he started comprehending things, the sun has always been the source of inspiration. Watching the rising and the setting sun give immense joy. The sun is the giver and is the source of energy for everyone on Earth. Imagining life without the sun is impossible. The Earth and the Sun, collaborate to create wonders. Looking around, one can see various inspiring dramas unfolding. The monsoon season allows it to see in full vigour. It’s invigorating.
Nature’s pantomime
Strolling in an open field with enquisitive eyes reveals interesting and intense natural drama.
Dung beetle and germinating seed
A dung beetle rolling a round ball of cow dung pushing its prized possession to its hide. It is fascinating. Watching the working beetle unveils the strong and cohesive bond that binds all life forms in a web. A few paces away, a new pantomime was underway. A germinating seed pushing its head through the moist soil, trying to expand its “wings”.
Active Hoopoe
A Hoopoe flew past and perched on a tree twig. It carried a maggot in its long, slender, but stout, aciform beak. The bird enjoyed its food, scanned the surroundings and came down on a moist patch of land. Carefully looking here and there, it probed the patch with its beak for food. A few probes later, it got a worm. Swiftly swallowing the worm, it wandered and flew away. Observing and studying these precious moments is rewarding. It gives an insight into things that shape and reshape a system known as an ecosystem.
Human beings
Human beings are at the apex of the living world. With strong reasoning and logic humans are superior to all other organisms. They are curious to know the truth by logic and reasoning. They probe to get answer of convoluted appearing things. The wish to know the truth logically is intrinsic to them. Indian thinkers added an element of spirituality in their thought process to get a “Darshan” (viewing) of facts. Various thought processes were propounded to explain the facts. From pure materialistic Chārvāk to Vedānt philosophy propounded by Shankar.
Philosophical thinking
While Chārvāk propounded perception as a valid source of knowledge, logic becomes the cornerstone of Vedānta philosophies. Reasoning also plays a fundamental role. The argument that the moon appears small, but it is not, strongly contradicts the theory of perception. The pursuit of truth quenches the thirst for knowledge. It is a way to express gratitude. This gratitude is directed towards the Supreme Creator who runs the whole universe with utmost precision. The accuracy and timing of happenings are well balanced. The complex process of life occurs through highly intricate chemical reactions within the body. It is so complex that performing them in a laboratory is a task.
Feeling of gratitude
The intrinsic feeling of gratitude is deeply ingrained in human beings. People feel obliged when they are favoured. Thanksgiving is a natural process that has developed in organisms. Higher mammalian groups of animals express their gratitude through their mute gestures. In human beings, though, it is highly developed. Humans express gratitude towards others or a Supreme Being through gestures, reciprocation and speech. It shows that one cares for others and notices the act of kindness in the form of help. To put it lightly, gratitude is “contagious.” It spreads quickly, binding human beings to each other with a string of humanity and mutual love.
Intrinsic
Acknowledging favour and good deeds or acts of kindness comes from within. It becomes writ large on the face. reciprocal and mutual. People, for example, have a great respect for the nation’s armed forces. Their feelings of acknowledgement and gratitude are clear. They salute army men and try to contribute their bit. The collective feeling of gratification mingles and becomes a voice. It is like, “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara To Sur Bane Hamārā…” (Mixing my tone with yours becomes ours…)
Manifestations
People’s feelings of gratitude manifest in several ways. It led them to construct places of worship, for example temples, mosques, churches, and synagogues. It is a manner of paying respect towards the Supreme. The places of worship are not just a place for solace. They are places to pray, meditate, and think. People also feel obligated to the Supreme Being who nourishes and takes care. Compassionate and benevolent, He forgives the sins but also punishes the mendacious and ill-doers.
Expression of Gratitude
One must express gratitude towards the Supreme. It is also crucial to acknowledge the help and goodwill of all others who assisted during a difficult time. They believed in us and were beside us while we were wading through utter distress. Standing tall and guiding in a squall like a lighthouse, they never let us down. It is the time when we thank them all, remember it and be humble.
It comes from the heart. A person feels obliged and gratified. The kindness never goes to waste. A sapling grows to become a full-grown fruiting. Likewise, an act of kindness is good for everyone. (Psychology Today)
Humanity persists
People are kind, helpful and cooperative. Everyone should feel it and be expressive in acknowledging goodwill and help. People not only feel, but also do it. It is heartening that humanity persists. As the most advanced and wise creature on the earth, humans have to carry it further. So be it.
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