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Seeking
New Solutions
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IDEAS
FOR A BETTER FUTURE
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March,
2004
Vol. 3, Number 3 |
Global Consciousness II
The Sense of Gratitude
Adapted
from the book World
Diplomacy by Richard Sidy
Chapter VIII, "Global Consciousness."
The sense of gratitude makes one aware of real, essential values. After an illness or recovery from an injury, one relishes and enjoys good health as a precious blessing — for a time — until one begins to take it for granted again. After a period of thirst, a cup of water is of the most value. When there is an absence of the sense of gratitude, people only experience the value of what they have after a period of deprivation. Suffering or deprivation break the cycle of habitual and automatic behavior, and make one realize the value of those constant blessings which are normally taken for granted, abused and wasted. The sense of gratitude makes it unnecessary to suffer deprivation in order to value what one has.
If our politicians and diplomats were guided by the sense of gratitude, they would not lead humanity through the hell of war, poverty, environmental destruction, and bondage. Suffering in the world is evidence that our leaders and diplomats are not guided by love and gratitude for humanity and the planet. If they were grateful for all the gifts of nature, they would use all their power, influence, and resources to improve life and to protect it. Gratitude creates the awareness of essential values and creates priorities which reflect those values.
Through
gratitude people act to preserve health, beauty, and prosperity. It
motivates people to be responsible for themselves, for others and for
the environment and to work for the common good. Nations would not have
destitute, uneducated, apathetic or selfish citizens if leaders set
an example with policies demonstrating gratitude. They would create
national budgets which were motivated by care and appreciation of their
citizens, concern for their well-being, concern for the development
of their potential, and concern for the health and sustainable use of
their environment. Through the sense of gratitude people and nations
feel the urge to use their wealth for projects to uplift others and
improve the quality of life.
© 2004 Richard Sidy
<<Global
Consciousness I: The Sense of Economy
<<Global
Consciousness II: The Sense of Gratitude
<<Global Consciousness
III: The Sense of Justice
<<Global Consciousness
IV : The Sense of Beauty
<<Global Consciousness
V : The Sense of Responsibility
<<Global Consciousness
VI: The Sense of Unity
<<Global Consciousness
VII: The Sense of the Sacred
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Archives
2004
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Read
previous monthly selections
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| January:
(Vol. 3, No. 1) The Four Freedoms |
February:
(Vol. 3, No. 2) Global Consciousness I |
March:
(Vol. 3, No. 3) Global Consciousness II |
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| April:
(Vol. 3, No. 4) Global Consciousness III |
May:
(Vol. 3, No. 5) Global Consciousness IV |
June:
(Vol. 3, No. 6) Global Consciousness V |
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| July:
(Vol. 3, No. 7) Global Consciousness VI |
August:
(Vol. 3, No. 8) Global Consciousness VII |
September:
(Vol. 3, No. 9) Is "Liberal" a Dirty Word? |
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| October:
(Vol. 3, No. 10) Bullies in Our Political Culture |
November:
(Vol. 3, No. 11) Can Idealism Solve Problems? |
December: (Vol. 3, No. 12) Peace on Earth, Goodwill | |