I love this article I received in an email. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiiving filled with gratitude for what you give and receive.
"Another Kind of Gratitude"
"In the lunchroom of a busy workplace, groups of employees were eating and visiting with one another at a dozen different tables. Suddenly one man stood, panic in his eyes. He was choking and couldn't call for help. As he began turning blue, alarm spread through the crowd. But for several agonizing moments, no one stepped up to help him.
All at once a man came forward and gripped the choking fellow around his ribs, squeezing him in a series of tight jerks until the food was dislodged. Amazement and joy swept through the onlookers as they felt a rush of appreciation that someone knew the Heimlich maneuver. The man embraced his rescuer in a moment of true thankfulness.
But there was another kind of gratitude at that moment. It was humble appreciation, on the part of the hero, that he had the knowledge and the strength to be able to help in an emergency.
It's one of life's great truths that the giver of selfless service feels just as much joy--and just as much reason to be thankful--as the receiver. Whenever we are in the right place at the right time to help, we feel an overwhelming sense of thanksgiving to our Maker for using us to bless someone in need.
We often give thanks for things we have received. But we should not overlook this other type of gratitude: thanks for what we can do for others. American poet Edwin A. Robinson described these two kinds of gratitude as "the sudden kind we feel for what we take, [and] the slower kind we feel for what we give."1
Being able to make a difference in the lives of others, to be useful, to be kind, to help, is a blessing that fills our hearts to overflowing with humility and gratitude. As we take count of life's bounties, let us remember and give thanks not only for our families, our good fortune, or our health but also for the marvelous ways God can use us to bless the lives of others.
1 "Captain Craig," in Captain Craig: A Book of Poems (1902), 5."
**Here is an opportunity to give and receive this Christmas season:
INTUITIVE PHONE SESSIONS with Sher Christian: Does a challenge have you stressed and/or stumped? Understand and transcend life challenges, fulfill potential, meet goals, increase well being and pleasure through attunement to the inner voice and poetry of the soul. Is there something you would love to accomplish, such as discover and fulfill your life purpose, move a situation to the next step, enjoy your life journey, manifest your heart’s desires in relationship, home, income? Sher is adept at helping you connect with your inner wisdom to know what is needed.
HOLIDAY SPECIAL through December: Receive a complimentary gift certificate of equal value with your paid session.
$50 for a half hour session and $90 for a one hour session. Sliding scale available.
Satisfaction with the consultation guaranteed.
E-mail poetrytalks@neteze.com for your appointment for a phone consultation and to learn more. Check out Sher’s blog at www.lusciouspoetry.typepad.com/
*Sher Christian has 20 years experience with intuitive coaching. She is a Certified Flower Essence Practitioner and iridologist and has studied aromatherapy. She is the author of "Star Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry" and co-creator with her husband John Christian of their CD "Sweet Tongue". Sher and John have hosted the Third Sunday Poetry Reading at Coffee Catz in Sebastopol, California for over two years.
Sher taught creative writing and poetry courses for Sierra College. She was a highlighted presenter at The International Flower Essence Conference in Australia and was a core leader of Nourish, the successful women's retreat in Sonoma.
**Sher's books and CDs make wonderful, affordable gifts. Mail $40 postpaid to Sher Christian for a copy of Star Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry and Sweet Tongue, Assorted Poetry & Music. E-mail poetrytalks@neteze.com for address.
To hear samples, go to
http://kiwi6.com/file?id=56jk2fb094
Then click: Download File, (green text)
Happy Holy Days!
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