The Meaning of Gratitude

I was writing a piece on gratitude at the woodpaneled rose reading room of the main branch at the New York City public library. I read over what I had written was pleased with it and got up to go to the restroom. I asked where the restroom was at the information desk, and the woman behind the desk looked at me and said, "you mean good morning. How are you. Could you please tell me where the restroom is." She put me in my place.

Gratitude is about going beyond yourself whether through interaction or by seeing what we have as something that wakes us up to another. It tells us that we are not alone. That we are part of a hub, that nature, the material world, people, and our relationship with that which goes beyond there for us. They awaken us to the mystery, and we feel better through it.

What are your thoughts on gratitude? Email your response to ron@bighearted.com with the subject line gratitude.