The generous nature of gratitude

If you think about it, gratitude only exists when it is verbally expressed or demonstrated through kind deeds. While gratitude is not a tangible object, it’s only because of gratitude that we can live in a state of abundance. Indeed, gratitude makes what we have enough.

When we are grateful, we acquire the capacity and strength to fulfill the wishes, wants and needs of others regardless of how hard it might be to serve them. And, when we care and look out for one another we simultaneously become transformed into being our best selves.

I’m privileged to witness so many moments when patients express their heartfelt gratitude by making a gift to support a physician, nurse or hospital program. In that moment, they are focused solely on the good they can bring to others through their gift. Philanthropists who could do anything they want with their money choose to invest it in expanding health and well-being opportunities. And quite often, they thank us for the opportunity. It’s beautiful to witness.

With an attitude of gratitude, we become capable of living a significant life; one that is full of meaning, purpose and consequence. Without gratitude we are likely to conclude our mortal journey in regret and sorrow…quite possibly finding ourselves left behind, forgotten and all alone.

It’s been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, well… so do our lives. In this very moment, we are the result of our many small decisions. In effect, we are the product of our choices, including our choice of attitude. Choosing to be grateful bonds us to each other, strengthens our friendships and unites our communities. Gratitude sustains our hope for a better tomorrow, and is a prerequisite for real, genuine happiness.

Ultimately, gratitude is the essential spark that then ignites generosity into existence. Generosity then brings about the change we want to see in the world. Generosity makes real all that has happened, is happening and will happen for good.

That is why I’m so grateful to work in an industry and with an organization that thrives at the intersection of gratitude and generosity to make change real.