“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is
like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
William Arthur Ward
I have a good life with much to be grateful for and I am grateful. But I am afraid I don’t express it as often as I ought to. I may say thank you for something said or done. However, my response may be offhand or with little thought given to it. I can give excuses for my lame replies but in truth there is no excuse for not taking the time and making an effort to let others know how important their attention and thoughtfulness is to me.
Having something given to me whether it be big or small, written or spoken, a need met or a want fulfilled is a gift. It may be given with love by a friend or casually given by someone I don’t know well or just a hello said by a complete stranger. A gift is meant to be appreciated not left on a shelf to be forgotten and so it is with gratitude. It needs to be given a place in the heart so it can be enjoyed and shared with others.
Patricia's Place 
So true, it is so easy to take our blessings for granted. I am back to participating in the weekly Ten Things of Thankful blog hop to keep me mindful and hopefully to encourage others.
I am glad to see you back blogging. I have been slow to respond to comments here and to comment on other blogs. I hope people will be patient with me. I do appreciate all of you so much.
One of your best. Yes, gratitude needs to stay active. There’s so much even when those storms rage. I look around me all the time seeing those less fortunate. Do I struggle? Yes…but others struggle much more. I try always to say thanks to God, a thoughtful neighbor or just a fella holding the door. Grace lurks, you just have to be conscious enough to notice her. You write so beautifully…:)
We are given grace all the time and it is not meant to be hoarded but passed on.
I love that…jottin’ it down.:)
Beautiful words that we all should heed and a beautiful kitty. I linked this post to Awww Mondays.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
Isn’t it though? I’m going to print it out…:)
Awww, I am blushing.
MAKE-UP!!!!! 🙂
Thank you, Sandee, I appreciate your words.
Wise words, Patrica! Agreed gratitude should be expressed as shows appreciation and caring.
Thank you. It should be easy but sometimes it gets lost in the busyness of life.
Yes, we need to speak our gratitude and to employ its fruit.
Yes, we do!