Warrior Work
Week 21
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GRATEFULNESS

Gratefulness - n. The state of being appreciative for benefits received. Feeling thanks: Having the desire or reason to thank someone.

The word gratefulness comes from a 16th century word "grate" meaning "pleasing" or "thankful" and it in turn came from the latin word "gratus"
meaning "free". Other words coming from gratus include grace, disgrace and gratitude. Gratefulness hinges on awareness and often our
gratefulness grows as our awareness of what someone or others have done to benefit our life in either small or large ways. The art of perception
allows us to see things from different points of view based on our intent. Holding up three fingers and being aware of which side we are looking at
expresses the idea that how we are looking at the world reflects our inner state. A grateful person "sees" how others are actively contributing to the
quality of their life and they express their appreciation by words and actions. A person who is not aware of the contribution others are making to
their life often is said to take those people for "granted". They don't "see" the service or benefits of what the person is doing for them until after that
person is gone from their life. They then experience "regret" or sorrow at missing the opportunity to express their feelings of thankfulness which they
did not even become aware of until after the person is gone.

This week work on being more mindful and attentive to how you are looking at the world and the people in your life. Work on showing your
appreciation and gratefulness through both your words and actions on a daily basis. Cultivate the feeling of gratefulness and compare that state to
someone who cultivates the feeling that no one understands them and everyone takes them for granted. One person is looking outward toward
others, the other inward toward the self. One state or attitude is lighter and the other heavier. Each of us chooses how we will move through the day
as we navigate the roles and worlds of our life.

By Peter Hill, Copyright 2004
www.getittogether.net

Week 22>>