Gratitude.
Gratitude
SoGv2-18, 2154, Wadhwa Address.
Hello!
How was the weekend?
Fuck time flies! So fast that it's not funny. Its almost the end of June and 2019 is almost half done! And 2020 is just 6 months away. Like I said a few days ago, 2020 used to be that distant thing that we all made plans for. If time is gonna go at this rate, Jan 1, 2026, is not that far. And that means that the goals that I have for myself need to be achieved, like, yesterday!
Fuck.
Scary.
And exciting.
Anyhow. Coming to the idea that I want to talk about in this letter. Gratitude.
So, what is gratitude?
Gratitude is defined as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness." In simple words, it means that you are thankful for the kind things that others do for you. You know, you are stuck for inspiration, you ask a question to strangers. One of them responds. You may not say it out loud but in your head, in your heart, you ought to be thankful for that person's answer. For he had no reason to respond and yet he did. Without expecting an answer. Maybe he did it for his own satisfaction (of having helped someone else) or gratification (of finding meaning by being helpful) et al. But he helped you move ahead. And you ought to be thankful!
Why is it important?
I am not sure of the philosophical, religious or theological perspectives but I can talk about my personal experiences and reasons.
Truth be told, if not for the kindness of others, I would not be anywhere close to where I am. In fact, I call myself lucky to have access to the kind of people I have access to. And I know that I can't give anything back to any of these people. Except for my gratitude.
Of course, I've always been kind and polite and appreciative of opportunities that I've been granted by life and friends and families and strangers. But gratitude is a step ahead. A notch more. It is being a vocal about help granted by others. You acknowledge the giants that allowed you to stand on their shoulders (and see far). This vocal acknowledgment makes you and everyone around you aware of your limitations as an individual. And this limitation makes you try harder. And thus you go further!
This also makes others aware that there were others that enabled you. And the others that need help can approach the ones that helped you. You know, you get confidence when you see others like you get help!
The other thing is, like I said, gratitude is an emotion that you feel towards others. The others often do not even realize that they've earned someone's gratitude. It adds nothing to them. They are ignorant. They can't give you more because you have shown your gratitude. They continue to do their thing - you've not moved an atom, a mole in their life. But in your life, they moved a mountain and made your life better!
So, when you receive someone's largesse, you ought to express your gratitude. In some ledge, some journal, it closes the transaction, squares off the deal. Even if the person in the first place did not mean it to be one. You know, accounts get settled! That's how you balance the universe.
And that's where I would end this. Thank you for reading.
Oh, the thing for the day? Try and look for everyone that has helped you become what you have become. See if you can express your gratitude towards them. A simple act of saying thank you would do.
And while you are at it, do tell me what does gratitude mean to you.
Finally, in case you haven't already, do see this video where Amir Toofani plays Gratitude for his colleagues at Harvard. Do see it. When I saw it for the first time, it was on a phone and the phone fell off my hands. Not exaggerating. I love when us humans do fascinating things. Probably defines my lust for the Everest! Someday. Soon. Cos time, like I said, ladies and gents, if flying!
Thank you for your time!
With gratitude,
@saurabh
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TAGS: Gratitude.
STREAK: 18
PS: I did not enjoy writing this one. I haven't been enjoying writing lately. I need to figure out the reason. What do you think as a reader about these letters? Are these fun to read? Are these worth your time? Please do tell me.
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B, I had the numbers in place so that I could refer back to what I wrote in a certain letter. I did not factor that I will have more than 100 letters. And thus it would get impossible to refer!
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