by Marinela Kotsina
Member since:
June 11, 2006

Thank you

July 23, 2006 07:21 AM EDT
views: 139 | rating: 9.1/10 (16 votes) | comments: 42

I am sure all of you know the two magic words: Thank you!

I'm talking about giving thanks for what you do have and the fortunate experiences of each day. Years ago I have learned how important is to say these two simple words and to mean them is even more important.

 

At the time I was visiting a friend of mine in UK, a wonderful soul by the name of Mary. She was the one to teach me the meaning of these words. After listening to her I said:

"What do I have to be grateful for and say thank you?" I don't have a car, I don't own a house and the rent I pay is so expensive, I don't have children ( was 28 years old at the time), I don't….and the list went on!

Mary stood up and came back with a pencil and simply said: "write down what you have just told me". After I finished ~~ and to tell you the truth the list was not that long~~ she said again: "go in the garden, sit quiet for a few moments and write down what you have and think that make you happy".

 

In the beginning I thought this is a good joke, but I did as I was told and to my surprise, the list was big, in fact bigger then the first one. I still have that piece of paper and will share with you only few things I wrote at the time: "I am young, I am healthy, I have good friends, I have Mary to teach me so many things, I could afford to go to the UK, I have a good job back home, I have the love of my parents, friends etc……

I went back into the house and felt ashamed of myself and thanked Mary for the lesson. That night I couldn't sleep and thought about the list and each time I fall in the same trap of not being grateful I just make a new list! And today I am 50 years young !

Since then I think it is very important to be reminded of how much we all have to be grateful for, and to make that "attitude of gratitude" a part of our daily lives.

 

We can be grateful for many things: the love and support of a spouse or mate or circle of friends or relatives or children. And don't forget the unconditional love of a pet.

Many know the old saying, "Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot." And that is just how the Universe works.

Every night before going to bed I give thanks for the day and for the unknown blessings already on their way.

 

We never know who and how we can help another.

Give thanks, with a grateful heart.

Thank you for taking the time to read!

 

Love and light

marinela

 

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Comments: 42

John Doyle Jul 23, 2006, 7:31am EDT
This need to be said over and over and over and
Linda Douglas Jul 23, 2006, 7:46am EDT
Thank you, Marinela. Sometimes I have to do this exact thing for myself and my clients. It is such a simple exercise with tremendous results.
Dolphi D. Jul 23, 2006, 8:07am EDT
How true, but how easy to forget! Thank you for reminding us, Marinela.
Cheryl C. Jul 23, 2006, 8:11am EDT
Gratitude is the foundation of contentment. Thank you for this charming reminder.
hiral h Jul 23, 2006, 8:31am EDT
Well said. I totally agree, one should never hesitate to say 'THANK YOU' and 'SORRY'. Both of them are the magical words.

We often neglect the things we possess and never thank for what we have. I used to be the same way. I used to blame God for the disability i have, but then i realised that i am really lucky, infact, i am special.

I m luckier than the people who are totally blind or are dependent on others for their daily activities. I feel lucky becuase God has considered me capable of facing it. Keep smiling.

God bless.
Olga M. Jul 23, 2006, 8:46am EDT
I totally agree. God can only bless grateful hearts, because the soil is more fertile that way for the planting of the seed.
Maura Alia Badji Jul 23, 2006, 8:54am EDT
Marinela, thank you! I'm grateful to know you.
Mikaila R. Jul 23, 2006, 9:05am EDT
What a great lesson. The word 'Gratitude' is such a beautiful word...everyone can use it!
Kathryn E. Jul 23, 2006, 9:35am EDT
Beautiful, Marinela. What a great reminder. A heartfelt message, thank you.
Wendy Hanawalt Jul 23, 2006, 10:27am EDT
My son and I went to an African American Baptist church service once, at the invitation of his sociology professor, who was also the preacher. While neither my son nor I are Christians, we were very moved by the experience. My son observed, "There was a lot of gratitude in the air there, and I sorta think that where there's gratitude, something holy is taking place."

I don't remember the name of the author, but there's a book on meditation titled, "Gratitude, the Heart of Prayer." Being grateful for just being alive is a good thing.
Marinela Kotsina Jul 23, 2006, 11:42am EDT
Thank you all and love every comments in turn. It is so great to have met you all
love and light
marinela
Carol Roach Jul 23, 2006, 12:16pm EDT
Yes Marinela, wonderful piece, I am well aware of what I am thank ful for, and one of the things is simply being able to access the internet and having wonderful cyber friends, that I would never have had a chance of meeting before.
Webduck * Jul 23, 2006, 12:53pm EDT
There is a mental hand I put up in front of my face when I am heading towards a personal "pity party" that tells me to stop being so whiny and be grateful for the things I DO have. I am much better off than millions of other people in the world. Thanks!
Martha Jette, Author/Editor Jul 23, 2006, 2:32pm EDT
Marinela: You are one special lady! We should all be thankful for what we have. Just look at the world around us. There is so much need, hunger, death. We are very blessed in Canada and many other countries. Interestingly, every time I get on my electric scooter to go somewhere, I always remember to thank the Lord and my angels for it. Without it, I would pretty much be housebound and would have to depend on the kindness of others to help me. I may be short on cash, but I'm long on love of family, friends and pets, which is so much more important.
Robert H. Jul 23, 2006, 11:14pm EDT
Thank you for your loving articles which remind us to be grateful for the beautiful people and world around us that we often do not appreciate.
Marinela Kotsina Jul 24, 2006, 2:53am EDT
Thank you so much to all of you and a new week is ahead of us and I am one to be greatful that the sun is shinning, the sea is near and there are so many beautiful people around. I am 50 and I still live on rent, I have so many problems to face which I consider them lessons and part of my life, but the other list is bigger and in my own way I am happy for somany things.
thank you
Mary C Legg Jul 24, 2006, 4:08am EDT
nie reminder-- am alwys happy that I can walk. there's never a time when I go out the door and take it for granted. really, walking is just plain wonderful experience... and never want to be without it. not healthy, not young, not beautiful, not thin, not rich, -- very hard life, but can walk.

and is truly a miracle. soem things are worth fighting for and this is definitely on the top of the list.

never want to be in a wheelchair and the only way to walk is by walking. nobody can do it for you, you got to do it yorself. just like singing. aint nobody going to do it for the soprano. and if you can't do it, get of the stage and let someone else get on with it.

so is big achievement in life-- and so I walk. if I had a trustworthy bike, maybe I would try to ride again, but it comes and goes because sometime my legs just don't want to push the pedals.

very very short list over here.

when people harass me about jogging or aerobics, I just ignore them because I can walk. they just don't understand or appreciate the miracle of just trucking along at my own speed. and besides they are too busy being busy to appreciate walking or walk about.
Count you blessings, especially when life is at its darkest.

Magi
elise p Jul 24, 2006, 9:35am EDT
nice nice nice!
Cheryl W. Jul 24, 2006, 11:58am EDT
Thank you for your beautiful, heartfelt words..
What a wonderful lesson Mary taught you & you in turn ahve taught us. Thank you, this is a lesson that we should never forget. We always have so much to be thankful for, we just reflect.
Barbary Chaapel Jul 26, 2006, 1:51am EDT
Marinela,

You have written a lovely and timeless parable of truth.
Bonnie L. Jul 26, 2006, 1:55am EDT
Marinela -- So beautifully stated! THANK YOU for such a positive and upbeat article!
Marinela Kotsina Jul 26, 2006, 3:42am EDT
Mary S. Thank you love and keep walking; Iknow what this means as I have the chronic problem with my balance and me too, I keep walking and am greatful for that. I understand !

Thank you Magie and Elise. Love to you both!
Cheryl and Priscilla L i do appreciate so much you understand. thank you girls !

Barbary: this is what I feel to be a big truth ! thank you for coming in here

Bonnie: have learned this from own experience and wanted to share it!
love and light to all
Shaunee C. Jul 26, 2006, 4:32am EDT
very well said there is alot to be thankful for when you don't think there is that is for sure
anna r. Jul 26, 2006, 7:01am EDT
what a blessing to know i have a kindred in love and gratitiude!! thank you marinela for my moring blessing.i love you
Jane Doe Jul 26, 2006, 4:57pm EDT
Marinela,
Thank you for showing me a way to stop being such a whiny brat...
Marinela Kotsina Jul 27, 2006, 12:56am EDT
Jane, are u what you say you are?
Ludie Gee Jul 28, 2006, 4:51pm EDT
Marinela - Thank you!!
Fred D. Jul 29, 2006, 1:45pm EDT
Thank you Marinela,
Great concepts.
Your kindness is contagious!
Mary M. Alward Jul 29, 2006, 11:15pm EDT
Thank you Marinela, for sharing your wisdom.
Marinela Kotsina Jul 29, 2006, 11:31pm EDT
Mary, not sleeping yet? what time is it over there?
love and light
La Lady Lisa Westerfield Jul 30, 2006, 7:24pm EDT
Very true.
Jim Ross Aug 6, 2006, 2:05am EDT
What can I say, Marinela? Thank you!
Dan B. Aug 8, 2006, 6:12pm EDT
Thank God and Goddess for uk Mary and you Marinela. I met someone with a balance problem they thought related to explosions who found a remedy in Germany involving sound frequencies that was a noninvasive three session remedy. They said the dizziness was gone after the first session.
Marinela Kotsina Aug 9, 2006, 1:16am EDT
Thank you all
each one of you..a shinning crystal !
Richard N. Nov 8, 2007, 7:25pm EST
Thank you... two words that can do so much on a person's outlook on life. Some people take those words forgranted, but I think we all should use them more often. As a closer, check this out...

How to Write a Thank You Note
Marinela Kotsina Nov 10, 2007, 1:53am EST
I will Richard! I am on my way....
Karen M. Jan 1, 2008, 12:41pm EST
Yes, yes, and yes.
soliel L. Jun 12, 2008, 5:55pm EDT
WEll put~
Marinela Kotsina Jun 14, 2008, 12:31pm EDT
Thank you Karen and Soliel.

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