I would like to share a short poem called “Take time:”

Take a moment to see the good
To remember the smiles
To remember the moments
To remember the little things.
To be thankful.
To be grateful
Take time to see the wonderful in this world.
The more you see the good, the more you will inspire others to see it as well.
Ripple.

— Rachel Marie Martin (findingjoy.net)

I love the words in this poem. Not only is it a great reminder during this holiday season, but it has one of my favorite words – “ripple,” a spreading, pervasive and usually unintentional effect or influence on others. I would like to have this word on my headstone; I want to be known for causing a positive ripple effect because it means I have positively impacted those around me for the better. And what better time to create a ripple that this holiday season.

Thanksgiving is a time we all give thanks for all our blessings. Right? We spend a lot of time on social media daily posting the 30 things we are thankful for and appreciate. I have seen posts about parents, kids, spouses, friends, a new house or car, etc. So many things, big and small. We have a lot to be thankful for today.

Occasionally we throw in the word “grateful.” The Oxford dictionary says "grateful" is defined as “showing appreciation or kindness; the quality of being thankful.” So, I started thinking, is it better to be thankful or grateful? Is it better to show thanksgiving or gratitude? While I think it is important that we do both, there is a distinction which is critical on the receiving end.

This is where the difference lies; being thankful is a feeling while being grateful is an action. Gratitude is more than just the feeling of thankfulness; gratitude is showing through an action that we are thankful. Many studies have shown that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed; those people are thankful. However, people who express their gratitude actually feel even less depressed and have a life purpose.

Gratitude starts with noticing the goodness in life. Once we notice the good, we can affirm all the goodness we have or are receiving. Then we can acknowledge the role other people play/have played/are playing in providing our lives with goodness. Once we notice and acknowledge the good, we can put those feelings/emotions into action and ask, “What have I given to __?” The action resulting from this question is the ripple effect.

With such chaos in the world and such materialism in today’s world we need more gratitude. Gratitude is what unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. Doing for others (the action of gratitude) is what brings us joy and happiness from within each of us; gratitude creates that ripple effect which is the true secret to happiness. I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you haven’t already created a ripple effect, it is not too late to start.

Ripple effect

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