If we give a gift expecting a return, then we have not offered a gift.
We have tendered a loan. Not gratitude.

When we display gratitude, we demonstrate appreciation, kindness, respect, and, above all, acknowledgement for the person in front of us (or in our thoughts).  When we display gratitude, we show joy for what we have; a sense of contentment. Like this (one of my first posts on this blog).

It feels good for the recipient and we benefit as well. When we show gratitude we are paying attention to what is good in our neighborhood, community, and world.

Photo Steve Piscitelli

Gratitude can benefit our health, career, social sphere, personality, and emotions.

Recently, I have reached out to people who have made an impact on me and our community. Just a simple handwritten thank you note. Each note felt good to write. From the responses I have received, they were good to receive, as well.  A few of my gratitude recipients have shared the following with me:

• Thank you for the wonderful gratitude card you sent me. It really uplifted me!
• How nice to have a former student and friend who writes a generous note of thanks.
• From you came the old-fashioned way!  [reference is to my handwritten note—not an email]
• Steve, thanks for the kind note. It meant a lot to me.
• Your note surprising, encouraging, and unexpected! Many, many thanks!
• Made my day!
• It’s moments like these when someone stops and acknowledges us, that w are reminded that we are a part of life’s great journey with some amazing people.

Sincere gratitude does not come with ulterior motives. If we give a gift expecting a return, then we have not offered a gift. We have tendered a loan. Not gratitude.

Take time to reflect on your gratitude. Maybe make a list.  Appreciate …embrace.

Video Recommendation for the Week

Can gratitude improve our well-being?  Watch this video.

My book,
Community as a Safe Place to Land,
has been released! At this point, you can purchase it on Amazon. More purchasing options coming. More information at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

Make it an inspiring and grateful week and H.T.R.B. as needed.

You can still order my book Stories about Teaching, Learning, and Resilience: No Need to be an Island (2017). Another university recently (February 2019) adopted it for training and coaching purposes. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same.

The paperback price on Amazon is now $12.00 and the Kindle version stands at $3.99. Consider it for a faculty orientation or a mentoring program. The accompanying videos would serve to stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

My podcasts can be found at The Growth and Resilience Network® (http://stevepiscitelli.com/media-broadcast/podcast).

You will find more about what I do at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

©2019. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®