So, I was thinking today – as I am wont to do on occasion. I’m having a pretty clear-headed day today and thought about a recent message I had sent out. Someone had offered me some advice. Knowing they were completely right, I thanked them, simply. But I merely said “Thank you so much – I really appreciate the advice!”
So, as I said, I was thinking and just letting my mind wander and realized the response I had received was very stiff – I thought it odd and moved along. And it occurred to me today that it may be that she thought I was insincere.
I believe very strongly in saying thank you and expressing appreciation. This is a very fundamental lesson in spirituality practices and beliefs. But in learning about spirit, we learn both to give AND receive and I don’t think that as a society, we often know how to accept gratitude – the cultural norm is to give thanks and then follow up with either saying the action was unnecessary, expressing how much it means to the receiver, or continuing the conversation in some other way. We don’t really give the other person a chance to respond directly to the gratitude. I know I’m not entirely sure how I would handle a simple and sincere expression of gratitude.
I know that I will be watchnig for opportunities to practice simply receiving gratitude as well as giving it simply and I would love to see this as a widespread cultural/spiritual change.
