Attitude of Gratitude

“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.” ~ Johannes A. Gaertner ~

Johannes A. Gaertner (1912 - 1996) was born in Berlin and settled in the United States in 1946. He was a well-known professor of art history, and a much-admired poet and a theologian.

I had the opportunity and good fortune to help volunteer, locally, for Anthony Robbin’s Basket Brigade Food Drive. It was an awesome experience helping to supply food and delivering to needy families. As a result, we were able to feed over 87 families in our local neighborhood. What a great feeling!

On one of my food delivery trips, I was invited in for tea and cookies by a Pakistani woman and her family. She was a charming, soft-spoken woman, and was delighted when my co-volunteer and I dropped by with a large box of food and goodies.

I was humbled when I learned that she had a PhD in food science, but couldn’t find any work for years because she wasn’t a Canadian Citizen, and her extensive credentials were not recognized here, along with the race and language barrier she had to deal with. (You just never can know what despair really looks like until you meet face to face. We often have a certain ‘image’ in our minds of what it looks like which is not accurate). Despite her sorrows, she was very grateful we came, and even offered to volunteer.

It was a wonderful gesture on her part and a learning lesson for me. You know, I heard Bob Proctor mention somewhere that “Gratitude keeps you connected to your source of supply.” It’s so true! I couldn’t help but feeling grateful for all that I have. I am grateful for being a Canadian Citizen living in a country of abundance and freedom, with a great and affordable education and health system, doing what I love doing!

The highlight of the evening was getting together with all the volunteers for a potluck dinner and sharing our experiences and giving thanks. We shared lots of heart to heart hugs too, which is proven in research for developing happier, healthier, well-adjusted human beings.
Another highlight was getting a chance to pet the organizer’s chocolate brown and white bunny rabbit, Mocha. Although I love chocolate and Mocha coffee, this is one instance I was grateful that it didn’t turn into a “Fatal Attraction” of some sorts.

When you feel grateful for all that you have and all that you do, you can’t help but feel connected to the Divine, and the sense of fulfillment and joy that comes as a result.

Write down a statement for all the blessings in your life and everything you feel grateful for in your life. Then make a habit of reading your statement out loud every morning for 90 days, and watch the results. You will feel more connected to the infinite potential within you and begin attracting more good things in your life.



Hero Soul
Sharif Khan is a professional speaker, freelance writer, coach, and author of Psychology of the Hero Soul, an inspirational book on awakening the Hero within and developing people’s leadership potential. Based on over ten years research in human development and leadership, Khan provides inspirational keynotes and leadership development workshops that empower audiences to unleash their inner-hero potential for higher success. With several years of writing and publishing experience, Khan also helps companies develop empowering content through his copywriting services. For more information visit http://www.herosoul.com. To reach Sharif directly call (416)417-1259 or email: sharif@herosoul.com