Which comes first: happiness or gratitude?
- Thomas Tittmann
- 41 minutes ago
- 4 min read
At the conclusion of last Monday's Lectio Divina (1) gathering offered by the Center for Spiritual Imagination, one of my fellow participants mentioned that the lectionary selection we read caused him to feel happiness…
Immediately, a popular song came to mind and I dropped a few words in our chat:
(1) slow, mindful reading with repetition. For more, see post link under "Resources" heading
“Happiness runs in a circular motion”
Opening Act
Here’s “Saint” Donovan leading us in this round: Feel free to join in...
Which leads us to ponder the age-old question…
Which comes first: happiness or gratitude?
[Opening remarks...Click next link for complete talk]
There is something you know about me, something very personal, and there is something I know about every one of you and that's very central to your concerns. There is something that we know about everyone we meet anywhere in the world, on the street, that is the very mainspring of whatever they do and whatever they put up with. And that is that all of us want to be happy. In this, we are all together.
How we imagine our happiness, that differs from one another, but it's already a lot that we have all in common, that we want to be happy.
Now my topic is gratefulness. What is the connection between happiness and gratefulness?
Many people would say, well, that's very easy. When you are happy, you are grateful.
But think again. Is it really the happy people that are grateful?
We all know quite a number of people who have everything that it would take to be happy,
and they are not happy, because they want something else or they want more of the same.
And we all know people who have lots of misfortune, misfortune that we ourselves would not want to have, and they are deeply happy. They radiate happiness. You are surprised.
Why? Because they are grateful. So it is not happiness that makes us grateful.
It's gratefulness that makes us happy. If you think it's happiness that makes you grateful, think again. It's gratefulness that makes you happy.
Benefits of Gratitude
[Click next link for complete article].
Understanding Gratitude
When we talk about gratitude, it's like holding up a mirror to the good in our lives. Studies show that individuals who consciously cultivate gratitude tend to have a more positive outlook on life. This isn’t some magic cure, but rather a mindset shift. By actively practicing gratitude, one may very well transform their state of mind.
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough." — Aesop
The Impact of Gratitude on Happiness
Gratitude and happiness, intertwined like threads in a tapestry, often influence each other. When you practice gratitude, it often leads to a mental state where happiness can bloom. Here are some key ways gratitude fosters happiness:
Improved Physical Health: Feeling thankful reduces stress and helps individuals experience fewer ailments, fostering a healthier body and, consequently, a happier one.
Better Relationships: Expressing gratitude cultivates meaningful connections, enhancing one's social and emotional support network.
Enhanced Resilience: Grateful people are more adaptable when facing challenges, which contributes to longer-lasting happiness.
All Together Now...Gratitude for our friends
Seeing the words "All Together Now" on the screen in front of David Steindl-Rast, called for this tune:
With a Little Help from our Friends
Gratitude Meditation
10 Min Gratitude Meditation | Cultivate Profound Gratitude & Peace To Transform Your Reality (10:47)
Grateful I'm not DEAD...
“From the lips of infants and children you have ordained praise” - Psalm 8:2
Here's a bunch of Austin, Texas kids that are DEADicated to spreading the joy...
Attics of My Life (Grateful Dead)
In the attics of my life
Full of cloudy dreams unreal
Full of tastes no tongue can know
And lights no eye can see
When there was no ear to hear
You sang to me
I have spent my life
Seeking all that's still unsung
Bent my ear to hear the tune
And closed my eyes to see
When there were no strings to play
You played to me
In the book of love's own dream
Where all the print is blood
Where all the pages are my days
And all my lights grow old
When I had no wings to fly
You flew to me
You flew to me
In the secret space of dreams
Where I dreaming lay amazed
When the secrets all are told
And the petals all unfold
When there was no dream of mine
You dreamed of me
Songwriters: Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia. For non-commercial use only.
The Gospel of John, Paul, George & Ringo says it like this:
“All you need is love…Love is all you need…”
Resources
As we were wrapping up our facilitator Kris mentioned others forms of sacred reading such as Musica Divina that will be part of our third get together. Listening three times…
--->>> If you sign up for this third offering, you'll be able to access the first two. Registration link can be found in this next link.