A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances. A complaining soul complains even in paradise.
Interpretation
Gratitude shapes our perspective, regardless of our situation.
This quote emphasizes the idea that one's attitude determines their experience of life. A person who practices gratitude will appreciate their circumstances and find joy even in difficult situations, while someone who tends to complain will find fault and negativity even in ideal conditions. It highlights the contrast between a thankful heart and a complaining spirit.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to inspire an audience to practice gratitude.
That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.
Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench.
The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony... So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
Let your vision be world embracing rather than confined to your own self.
Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.
Healing for me is being able to sit next to the butcher and say 'Yes, I’m sitting next to the butcher now,' instead of saying 'there is no butcher'.
I’m ALIVE. Thinking about it, noticing it, is new. You do things and don’t watch. Then all of a sudden you look and see what you’re doing and it’s the first time, really.
Passion lends them power, time means to meet, tempering extremities with extremes sweet.
It is great that even before we become enlightened or generate any lam-rim realizations we are able to offer incredible benefit to others. The person who does this is a very fortunate person and should rejoice very often.
In rare moments of deep play, we can lay aside our sense of self, shed time's continuum, ignore pain, and sit quietly in the absolute present, watching the world's ordinary miracles. No mind or heart hobbles. No analyzing or explaining. No questing for logic. No promises. No goals. No relationships. No worry. One is completely open to whatever drama may unfold.
What I fear and desire most in this world is passion. I fear it because it promises to be spontaneous, out of my control, unnamed, beyond my reasonable self. I desire it because passion has color, like the landscape before me. It is not pale. It is not neutral. It reveals the backside of the heart.
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