This is my dad’s handwriting, he kept this quote in his wallet at all times. My sister took a picture of it, and we all have it at our desks, to remind us of him, and of the message as well.
This quote seems quite lovely, but it makes the Practical Me bristle somewhat. It’s the “all I am and have is given to me as a gift” part that does it. I worked really hard for everything I have–my education (which I paid for entirely by myself), my career, our homes…no one gave us anything. Rick and I did it all ourselves, and for that we are happy and grateful.
What do you think of this quote? I see it’s handwritten; was it something someone gave to you?
Nance, it was in my father’s wallet when he died. I suspect that the author of the quote is referring to God as the giver, and thus it does not take away from the work that one has accomplished.
I see it as the discipline of gratitude, which must be worked at. An effort, as he says, to look beyond what hard work you have put in to life, at the gifts you have been given along the way. The mind and body that are strong enough to do that work, for example. The gift of living in a time and place where such things are possible. Not a hand out, not being lucky enough to grow up with wealthy parents who gave you everything, but the gift of circumstances that allowed your hard work to pay off as it did.
It is something I have considered a lot since my father died, and I was given this quote by my sister. I have been lucky in many ways in my life. Some of that luck I made, so I too can bristle if someone tells me how lucky I am. But some of it has been a gift, or, for an atheist like me, perhaps chance.
Thank you. I didn’t see your explanation at all in Comments. I wonder why it wasn’t there. My first response was quite long and personal (I deleted it after having some second thoughts), and it had much to do with what you said about Gratitude requiring effort, which I understood since I had to work a great deal at it for a variety of reasons early on in my life.
So much of Gratitude is about Perspective, which was always a struggle for me as well. Sometimes the two go hand in hand, as your second paragraph so ably explains. I’ve gotten better at them, but once in a while, my blind spot still shows itself and I need a little help.
I love having the conversation about this quote, because one could just look at it and think it is trite. But I, like you, feel that it deserves examination and contemplation. Just like you, we have worked hard for our accomplishments in life, and I am grateful for the opportunities given to me that made that possible. Another thing I am grateful for, for which I credit my mother, since she raised me, is resilience. I mean, some of that is either inherent in a person, or in spite of your upbringing. But some of it is truly a gift from your parents.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. You say that you deleted your first, longer comment. Looking at the time stamp on my first comment, I probably posted it while you were working on yours, which would explain why you didn’t see it. Or else WordPress is being a jerk. Who knows? 🙂
5 Comments
J
This is my dad’s handwriting, he kept this quote in his wallet at all times. My sister took a picture of it, and we all have it at our desks, to remind us of him, and of the message as well.
nance
This quote seems quite lovely, but it makes the Practical Me bristle somewhat. It’s the “all I am and have is given to me as a gift” part that does it. I worked really hard for everything I have–my education (which I paid for entirely by myself), my career, our homes…no one gave us anything. Rick and I did it all ourselves, and for that we are happy and grateful.
What do you think of this quote? I see it’s handwritten; was it something someone gave to you?
J
Nance, it was in my father’s wallet when he died. I suspect that the author of the quote is referring to God as the giver, and thus it does not take away from the work that one has accomplished.
I see it as the discipline of gratitude, which must be worked at. An effort, as he says, to look beyond what hard work you have put in to life, at the gifts you have been given along the way. The mind and body that are strong enough to do that work, for example. The gift of living in a time and place where such things are possible. Not a hand out, not being lucky enough to grow up with wealthy parents who gave you everything, but the gift of circumstances that allowed your hard work to pay off as it did.
It is something I have considered a lot since my father died, and I was given this quote by my sister. I have been lucky in many ways in my life. Some of that luck I made, so I too can bristle if someone tells me how lucky I am. But some of it has been a gift, or, for an atheist like me, perhaps chance.
nance
Thank you. I didn’t see your explanation at all in Comments. I wonder why it wasn’t there. My first response was quite long and personal (I deleted it after having some second thoughts), and it had much to do with what you said about Gratitude requiring effort, which I understood since I had to work a great deal at it for a variety of reasons early on in my life.
So much of Gratitude is about Perspective, which was always a struggle for me as well. Sometimes the two go hand in hand, as your second paragraph so ably explains. I’ve gotten better at them, but once in a while, my blind spot still shows itself and I need a little help.
So Thank You.
J
I love having the conversation about this quote, because one could just look at it and think it is trite. But I, like you, feel that it deserves examination and contemplation. Just like you, we have worked hard for our accomplishments in life, and I am grateful for the opportunities given to me that made that possible. Another thing I am grateful for, for which I credit my mother, since she raised me, is resilience. I mean, some of that is either inherent in a person, or in spite of your upbringing. But some of it is truly a gift from your parents.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. You say that you deleted your first, longer comment. Looking at the time stamp on my first comment, I probably posted it while you were working on yours, which would explain why you didn’t see it. Or else WordPress is being a jerk. Who knows? 🙂