Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Gratitude


Title: Gratitude
Size: 9 x 12 inches

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: betsisanders 09

"To whom much is given, much is asked in return." This is how we must live our lives. To give in return for all the blessings that one has received. It isn't enough to just say 'thank you', but to express one's gratitude thru reciprocal acts of kindness. Words are not enough, one's gratefulness must be shown in acts.

We should always be grateful for everything that one has received. One must never grieve for what one does not have, but to be joyful for what one has. One should always see the good in everything. One should always be happy not just for one's self, but for others as well.

An ungrateful person, no matter how much he possesses, will never be truly happy. She will always ask for something, want something more, or need something else. There is no end to her desires, needs and wants. She is never content, always wanting, needing, expecting more and more. Always at the receiving end and never giving in return. She will never be happy.

The key to happiness is gratitude. I always say that the happiest person, is the most grateful of all. Be thankful for every little thing, for a beautiful sunrise, for a magnificent sunset, for the rain, for a sunny day... be thankful because you have a loving husband and an obedient son; be thankful for sisters who make you feel loved and important; be thankful for parents who made sure you had a good education and provided for all your material needs; be thankful for in-laws who accepted you as part of their family; be thankful for nieces and nephews who became your 'bundles of joy' when they were little; be thankful for every single friend that has been truthful and appreciative of your generosity; be thankful for the beauty that is around you, for the birds that chirp, or the simple lotus flowers on the pond; be thankful for everything that God has given.

The Buddha says, "Let us rise up and be thankful for if we didn't learn a lot today,at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die, so let us all be thankful."

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I finished this painting today, August 5, 2009, a very memorable day for all Filipinos. Today, the Filipino's icon of democracy was laid to rest. The entire nation mourns for the loss of this woman. The Filipino is grateful to this woman who restored democracy and freedom in the country that was ruled by a dictator for more than two decades. The Filipino is proud to be a Filipino because of this woman. Today, I share the sentiments of all Fiipinos, a grateful nation, a proud people, the happiest people.

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Two words... thank you... if this is our only prayer, then this is enough.
Live, love and always say 'thank you'. A grateful person is a happy person.

betsisanders 09 / August 5, 2009

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