I am filled time and again
with a heart-aching wonder
when I think
of the fire
and frost of memories
of the everlastingness
of love
the solace
of family
and the power
of prayer.
— Sanober Khan from Turquoise Silence
Ordinary happiness depends on happenstance. Joy is that extraordinary happiness that is independent of what happens to us. Good luck can make us happy, but it cannot give us lasting joy. The root of joy is gratefulness. We tend to misunderstand the link between joy and gratefulness. We notice that joyful people are grateful and suppose that they are grateful for their joy. But the reverse is true: their joy springs from gratefulness. If one has all the good luck in the world, but takes it for granted, it will not give one joy. Yet even bad luck will give joy to those who manage to be grateful for it. We hold the key to lasting happiness in our own hands. For it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.
— David Steindl-Rast from Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer
See Also:
- Three Gratitudes
- Being Grateful for Everything
- 17 Statements of Gratitude
- Thankfulness Finds Its Full Measure In Generosity Of Presence
- Grace for Thanksgiving Celebrations
- One Heart Grace (Grace Before Meals)
- Cultivating Gratitude
- Thanksgiving Song
My Soul In Silence Waits 