“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for our own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.” -Madame Marie Curie
What I really appreciate about this quote is its inclusivity. Every day, we have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. The difference we have an opportunity to make is a unique one. Not only is it unique to our own individual capabilities and strengths, it is also unique to those we either aid or serve. For if it were not for our efforts and our intentions to actually make a difference, our individual difference, the one that only we can make, then it might be lost forever…
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and the only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice.
She paid the ultimate price for her commitment to humanity and the development of early radioactive treatments for cancer and the creation of radiography units that provided early X-ray services to field hospitals during World War I.
She was instrumental in the development of technology to improve the lives of others. It was her focus on the improvement of her own life that allowed her to serve others.
And what about improving ourselves? How do we insure we are improving ourselves? It’s quite simple really, we set intentions. When we set an intention, we are setting in motion the magic of the universe and the magic of our minds. Our intentions become our ideas that we plan (or intend) to carry out. When we mean something, really mean it, then it becomes an intention. It becomes something we mean to do whether we are initially successful or not. It is the setting of an expectation for a specific result.
What it really represents more than anything else is “COMMITMENT.” Our intentions become our commitment to carrying out our actions… Our actions are the catalyst to the completion of our goals, desires, or stated intent. We can always make the most progress by getting involved in an activity or project we are most passionate about. When we choose to make a stand, we are simply saying this is what I believe, this is what I stand for, nothing can deter me!
This idea is stated with not just our words, but more importantly, our actions.
What we DO, speaks so loudly that no one questions any longer what we stand for. We become known not for our words, but our actions. A great question to ask of ourselves is, what do I stand for? A better question to ask is what do WE stand for?
When we honor our particular duty by providing aid to those we think we can be most useful to, then and only then are we answering our highest calling… What do you STAND FOR? What difference will you make today? What difference can we make, together? What difference are you “COMMITTED” to making in the world, not SOMEDAY, but today?
What happens when we take a statement and turn it into a
question? As human beings, we are wired to solve challenges, create solutions,
and answer questions. The moment we pose a question to ourselves or others, our
subconscious mind goes to work on seeking a solution. This is a natural
occurrence and happens without us even really noticing the process has
initiated, unless…
Unless what? Unless we are consciously aware and consciously
ask ourselves a question so we can activate our solution seeking abilities.
When we take control of our thinking, which by the way is the only thing we can
ever really control anyway, we activate our ability to solve for whatever it is
that might be perplexing us.
As an example, let’s just stay on track with the theme of
this message. The title of this article reads: Is It Really Possible That
The Key To Happiness Is Gratitude? After having read this just now for a
second time, what are you thinking? Are you thinking about how you might be
able to use this simple little “Six Word Story” in your own life? Have you
asked yourself yet, what if this is true? What does this mean to you?
What if, what if you decided right now in this moment you
would at least embrace this idea as a possibility? The moment we let our guard
down and open our minds to a new possibility, something miraculous happens… Our
minds expand, never to return to their previous state, because a mind once
expanded will never return to its former level of understanding…
“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to
its original dimensions.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Gratitude is the “KEY” that unlocks the “Fullness” of life.
As a matter of FACT, this is exactly what Gratitude does:
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we
have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order,
confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a
stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beattie
“Gratitude is the KEY to Happiness” is a simple “Six Word
Story” I can easily wrap my mind around. How about You? Does it at least seem
possible these six words could hold the KEY to Happiness?
Much has been written on this subject… It appears, at least
on the surface anyway, that Gratitude & Happiness go hand in hand, the same
way two peas share the same pod, or the same way we think of shoes and socks,
or milk and cookies.
Gratitude gives rise to the very best of what lies inside
each of us. And, when we take the time and spend the effort and energy to
express our gratitude, it is this act that functions the same as a key placed
into a lock that opens with ease, because it not only fits, but is actually the
key specifically designed to go with the lock.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a
present and not giving it.” -William Arthur Ward
Gratitude is more like a verb than a noun. Its inherent
value is experienced in the act of expression.
And yes, just like shoes and socks, or cookies and milk,
keys and locks go together, and the KEY to unlocking Happiness, is Gratitude!
If you enjoyed this article and would like a bigger slice or scoop of gratitude, I recommend: Dear Gratitude: An Anthology by my friend and fellow gratitude collaborator, Chris Palmore. The book is available on Amazon.
