One single gift acknowledged in gratefulness has the power to dissolve the ties of our alienation.
David Steindl-RastRead
There is no closer bond than the one that gratefulness celebrates, the bond between giver and thanksgiver. Everything is a gift. Grateful living is a celebration of the universal give-and-take of life, a limitless yes to belonging. Can our world survive without gratefulness? Whatever the answer, one thing is certain: to say an unconditional yes to the mutual belonging of all beings will make this a more joyful world. This is the reason why Yes is my favorite synonym for God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Gratitude creates deep connections between people, celebrating the mutual exchange of gifts in life.
This quote emphasizes the profound connections formed through gratitude, highlighting that the relationship between those who give and those who are thankful is one of the strongest bonds in life. The author suggests that acknowledging life's gifts and practicing gratefulness can enhance our sense of belonging and joy, making the world a better place, as expressing gratitude is equated with a divine acknowledgment of our interconnectedness.
Themes
GratitudeThankfulnessBelongingGiftsJoy
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community service, one might say, 'As David Steindl-Rast said, gratitude fosters bonds that bring joy and belonging.',
More from David Steindl-Rast
All quotes →As I express my gratitude, I become more deeply aware of it. And the greater my awareness, the greater my need to express it. What happens here is a spiraling ascent, a process of growth in ever expanding circles around a steady center.
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Joy is that kind of happiness that does not depend on what happens.
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By looking up, by raising our eyes above our limited horizon, we are more likely to perceive the blessings hidden in affliction.
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Any place is sacred ground, for it can become a place of encounter with the divine Presence.
David Steindl-RastRead
One can learn to focus on "opportunity" as the gift within every given moment. This attitude towards life always improves the situation. Even in times of sickness, someone who habitually practices grateful living will look for the opportunity that a given moment offers and use it creatively.
David Steindl-RastRead
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Thanks for this day, for all birds safe in their nests, for whatever this is, for life.
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The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that a grateful mind By owing owes not, but still pays, at once Indebted and dischargd; what burden then?
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Today don't beg, don't ask, just thank God in silence for all the blessings in your life.
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To be able to thank Allah for a blessing is a blessing within itself.
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The gift was not large as money goes, and my need was not great, but the spirit of the gift is beyond price and leaves me blessed and in debt.
Robert FulghumRead