Let Us Be Grateful!

​Thank you. Two simple words that when put together can mean so much. *

Thank you is Gratitude. Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation and the attitude for the good that we already have and are receiving in life. When our intentions and actions are aligned in sincerity there is gratitude. Where there is gratitude there is happiness and abundance.

This evening, all of you have my deepest gratitude for attending this Toastmasters meeting and being a part of it.  This is a moment you created, by your choosing. At this moment your attention is completely on me, allowing me to share my thoughts with you. For that, I’m grateful to you.

When Polk Street Speakers were going through a difficult time, Rising Phoenix Toastmasters agreed to support us. Their actions, efforts were sincere. Our gratefulness, our actions, our efforts were sincere as well. Our sincerities aligned. Those synergies created a vibrant club atmosphere. The Club's value became visible. If our intentions, our actions had not been sincere and had not aligned with our gratitude, that partnership would have fallen apart. This would be an empty space now. Because of our sincerities, a club that was given no chance to survive became a President’s Distinguished Club. My gratitude to Rising Phoenix Toastmasters. My gratitude to all the guests who came to our meetings, saw potential and joined our club. My gratitude to the hand full of members who had faith in this club and continued this journey.

In Gratitude, I believe, people feel happier and calmer. I wholeheartedly believe that that attitude opens the channels for goodness to flows into our lives and our endeavors.

Gratitude allows to (mentally) get us out of reliving a difficult situation or experience and adds a new perspective on the existing circumstances. When we are in an unpleasant situation, it is human to rehearse the upsetting scenarios, outcomes, and wallow in the worse. But none of those will lead to a better circumstance. No amount of venting will redeem the misery. However, if we are stable enough to, sane enough to, inject an ounce of Gratitude, wonders will begin to blossom. Gratitude will give us a fresh start on a path of better circumstances. 

Gratitude means counting our blessings, acknowledging simple pleasures, seeing the wonder of a fairy tale, and seeing something good in everything. That gives the Gratitude the power and means to shift our focus from what is absent to what we have and what is possible.

There are plenty of ways to express your gratitude. The easiest way is to say “Thank you”. The two simple words that mean so much when put together. *

Michael Perry, an author, said; “Gratitude, because to offer anything less would be to ignore all privilege. The privilege of existence. The privilege of health. The privilege of privilege. Gratitude is not an obligation but is a celebration.”

Gratitude increases self-awareness.
Gratitude leads to optimism.
Gratitude strengthens relationships.
Gratitude opens up all possibilities.
Gratitude improves health.
Gratitude makes you feel better.

Fellow Toastmasters, I encourage you to start your day and end your day by taking a moment, whether it is a one minute, five minutes or 10 minutes moment, to be Grateful.

And at that moment in time, you will realize you are more than you thought you could be, at that moment you will realize that your dreams are only a heartbeat away, and at that moment, you will know the answers are all around you.

That is the big impact of being Sincere and Grateful.
Thank You, my Friends! Thank You!! 

* American Red Cross