Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place
Josh Billings

InspirEmail

InspirEmail No 275 - February 17th, 2014 - Gifts from the heart are gifts of the heart
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Gifts from the heart are gifts of the heart

According to legend, a young man roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher.

After a four-day journey, he presented the water to the old man, who took a deep drink, smiled warmly, and thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.

Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old leather container. The student challenged his teacher: 'Master, the water was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?'

The teacher replied, 'You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of loving kindness and nothing could be sweeter. Heartfelt gifts deserve the return gift of gratitude.'

I think we understand this lesson best when we receive innocent gifts of love from young children. Whether it's a ceramic tray or a macaroni bracelet, the natural and proper response is appreciation and expressed thankfulness because we love the idea within the gift.

Gratitude doesn't always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling embodied in it. We should remind ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude.

After all, gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.

Written by Michael Josephson
Learn more about Michael Josephson at . . . Character Counts >>>

Featured Positive Inspirational Story

Broken Eggs and Shattered Glass

On a recent Saturday evening at around midnight, my wife and I were just about to turn out the light and go to sleep when we heard the sounds of a group of people talking in the street, outside our home. Then out of the blue came two loud thuds above our . . . read more >>>

- Inspirational Quote -

Gratitude connects us to others and feeling gratitude allows us to be our best selves. When we are truly grateful, we can count on living the life we want
M.J. Ryan

View more Inspirational Quotes >>>

Archived InspirEmail