Posts Tagged ‘gratitude’

I would like to share this story by Dr. Alan Morinis about Itzhak Perlman. The story highlights how gratitude can be found in any situation; it all depends on how you look at things.

There is a story — maybe an urban legend, but full of truth nonetheless — concerning the famous violinist Itzhak Perlman. One evening, Perlman was in New York to give a concert. As a child he had been stricken with polio and getting on stage is no small feat for him. He wears braces on both legs and walks with two crutches. Perlman crossed the stage painfully slowly, until he reached the chair in which he seated himself to play.

As soon as he appeared on stage that night, the audience applauded and then waited respectfully as he made his way slowly across the stage. He took his seat, signaled to the conductor, and began to play.

No sooner had he finished the first few bars than one of the strings on his violin snapped with a report like gunshot. At that point Perlman was close enough to the beginning of the piece that it would have been reasonable to bring the concert to a halt while he replaced the string to begin again. But that’s not what he did. He waited a moment and then signaled the conductor to pick up just where they had left off.

Here’s what I think…

When you are open to gratitude you see clearly and perfectly how much good there is in your life. Gratitude affirms that very fact.

We will always be faced with challenges in our lives. Life provides the ebb and the flow no matter how much we try to resist it. There is no limit to what we don’t have and if we focus on the lack in our lives, we will inevitably be filled with an abundant amount of pain and dissatisfaction. But when we can look at our lives, businesses, and family situations with a focus on what is right, we experience gratitude.

Like other attitudes, gratitude can be cultivated. We don’t have to wait for our fairy godmother to shower us with presents to feel thankful. We can develop gratitude by reflecting on the gifts that we already have. Gratitude is the memory of our own heart I once heard someone say. It is therefore an expression of love and abiding friendship which transforms itself into deed.

I try to cultivate gratitude every day and when I feel it – when I am grateful for my body and mind, for the world in which I live, for my family and friends, for my business – I know that my spiritual path is in order. When I don’t feel it, I understand that I am off and I try to right myself.

Gratitude is profound – it takes us to the edge and beyond.

Wishing you a phenomenal Thanksgiving,

Here I am with Robert Allen, acclaimed author of The One Minute Millionaire, No Money Down and Multiple Streams of Income to name a few.  I had the pleasure of hearing Robert Allen speak this past weekend at the Maximizing Success Wealth Retreat in Boston.

Robert shared so many powerful and wonderful insights but I was particularly grateful to hear his take on the need for money to flow.  In his presentation he suggested, actually encouraged the audience to give away 10% of whatever they earn as soon as they earn it to either a charity, church or someone who needs it.  Right away…before you even pay yourself!

Robert Allen believes that,  “In order to go get, you must go give first.  I believe this is the fundamental principle of wealth.”

Ok, now relax and let me explain.  I can hear some of you squirming in your seat right now thinking, “I barely have enough to pay my bills and you’re suggesting that I give 10% of my money away?”  Yup, that’s right, give it away.

The idea of giving back is an exercise in gratitude.  When you come from the mindset that you have already received the abundance,  then it feels natural to give it back because you understand that you already have everything you need.  If you give the money expecting that you will receive even more, then you are attached to the result and it more than likely will backfire and not work.  The magic or “the secret” is in the understanding of the principle of knowing and believing that you already have all that you need; that you in essence have already gotten it back so why expect more?

Robert Allen states:  “You should be so grateful to give a tiny percentage back.  When you finally let go of the expectation, that’s when you will probably get more.  Then you are feeling even more blessed, and the urge to give back should be so natural.  You have already received.  Your tithing is the gratitude.  This is what I explain to others, as I, too, “inoculate” myself against what can become an addiction to wealth. The more wealth we get, the more we should naturally want to give it back.

So in essence, if you are attached to getting more and more than in actuality you are not practicing gratitude and the abundance can’t flow…the valve is clogged or shut off completely.  You can’t be attached and grateful at the same time.  So pick gratitude and watch the flow of abundance into your life!

Those who know me well know that I don’t buy a lot of Christmas gifts.  Instead I prefer to have friends and family to my home and to spend an evening laughing, sharing, and honoring the people that mean the most to me. Gift giving is wonderful and I certainly love to receive, but gifts from the heart are the ones that matter the most to me.  Here is my favorite list of gifts that you can give this Christmas that won’t cost a dime but will certainly fill your soul!

The Gift of Listening ~ When you engage in the task of listening… truly listening, you are connecting with that other person in a way that lets them know how much they matter to you. While you sit there intently listening; not daydreaming, planning or interrupting, you are connecting at a deep place where two souls join together for the betterment of each other. As the listener you gain something too; the deep fulfillment of lending yourself to another in friendship and love.

The Gift of Laughter ~ “Laughter is the best medicine” is how the quote is known and I couldn’t agree more. Nothing makes me feel better than to share a good laugh with a friend. It lifts my spirits and the other person’s too. Share a joke, funny story, or a cartoon and share the gift of laughter with others.

The Gift of Kindness ~ I realized the other day that it is just as easy to be kind to someone as it is to be nasty…almost easier because one leaves you feeling good about yourself while the other leaves you feeling empty. Be kind to others by sharing simple gestures of yourself. This could be opening a door for someone, being a good driver on the road ways, sharing a kind word or a simple smile. Watch how these gestures of kindness fill you up and help you be a better person.

The Gift of Affection ~ Nothing feels better than a hug! I love to give hugs and I love to get them. And I love to pair it with a kiss on the cheek too! Maybe it’s the Italian in me, I’m not quite sure. But what I am sure about is how much those little gestures of affection let me express to my family and friends how much they mean to me.

The Gift of Service ~ I believe that we are on this earth to be of service to others. Giving of your time and talents to the benefit of someone else is the most wonderful gift you can ever give. Service comes in many forms but can include giving blood to help save a life, feeding the hungry, volunteering for a local charity, helping an elderly neighbor with household chores. The list is endless.  But one thing is certain, helping others fills the heart and soul in ways that nothing else can.

The Gift of Solitude ~ Sometimes we need to be alone. Maybe we need time to sort through a problem or time to reenergize ourselves. Others need this time as well. This Christmas learn to respect other people’s need and give the gift of solitude by leaving them the time they need to be alone.

The Gift of Courage ~ This gift allows you to be courageous, to speak your truth always and to stand in your power as a person. Give this gift to yourself. Be honest with yourself about what you want and don’t want in your life. Take good care of yourself…this is not about being selfish. It’s about taking time to care for you!

The Gift of Appreciation ~  Mother Theresa said “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” Take a moment to think about your family and friends. Make a list of all the things that you appreciate about them.  Keep this list in a safe place, maybe in your journal or with your will. Just imagine what this gift of appreciation will mean to people after you’ve gone. Your last words to them will be a heartfelt treasure they will never forget. You will show clearly how you recognized, admired and valued their unique qualities. You will acknowledge with gratitude what they meant to you.

This gift of appreciation will be the memory of your heart and will live on. This Christmas don’t delay in giving the Gift of Appreciation. Share your feelings this holiday with the ones you love.

May this Christmas Season fill your home with Joy, your heart with Love, and your life with Peace.

Wishing all of you a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving Day.  May you put away your troubles and savor this day, a day to reflect all that you have and are grateful for in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tonight I am going to see the fireworks at my daughters new place.  The front lawn of her new townhouse has a bird’s eye view of the fireworks display.   All we have to do is set up the chairs on the front lawn!  Is that awesome or what?

Tomorrow I am attending a flag raising ceremony followed by a delicious breakfast.  It is a beautiful event that includes lots of patriotic songs, dozens of flags, and a strong dose of gratitude for this wonderful country we live in.

What are you doing tomorrow to celebrate the Fourth of July?  Whatever you are doing I wish you a wonderful holiday with your family and friends.

God Bless America