Latin Fusion TV BLOG

Gratitude is an Action!

by on Nov.08, 2010, under Christian, Events, General Posts, Gratitude, Spiritual

Hey everyone – we hope you are doing well. I have been asked to expand on “Thanks is a four letter word!” So here goes!

We were in the United States Military Veterans Day Parade today in San Antonio and I want to share the magnitude of this event for me and how it affects my life.  I was brought to tears with what I saw and able to participate in.

First of all, I want to say thank you to all the men and women out there who have ever served in the military for their country.  I don’t care if you were a good soldier or a bad soldier – it takes sacrifice.  One gives up much to be in the service.  Imagine if we were mandated by government to serve, like some countries.

There were thousands who participated in the parade and thousands more who came to watch the parade.

I am grateful for and proud of the men and women who serve in our military.  The duty and sacrifice is enormous – but those that served during wartime and actually fought in one of our many skirmishes – I have a different type of respect for them.

People involved in conflict are scarred in one way or another – if not scarred, certainly affected.  They have endured man at his worst and maybe even had to be that person that they never dreamed of.  I mean, how would I react to the atrocity of war?  Anyway, I just saw so much today – a people proud to wear their uniform and show their colors – and a people willing to come and say thanks…

That is what I mean by Gratitude is an Action – Actions speak louder than words. So here are my suggestions:

  1. Volunteer – You can always give back by helping someone else who needs it;
  2. Say “Thank you!” – I have posted about this before – it is the nice thing to do;
  3. Pay it forward – Blessings always come back to those that give;
  4. It is better to give than to receive – Trust me, it is true – try it ad see;
  5. “I am sorry” doesn’t always cut it – change the behavior;
  6. If you have the means – help – People need all kinds of help and if you can help, please do it;
  7. There are more ways to help than just giving money – time is help as well as sharing with others what you know how to do;
  8. Do it with a smile – God loves a cheerful giver;
  9. Do not expect anything in return – Nothing is worse than giving with conditions, makes you look like a user; and
  10. Check your motives – See #9, it is important to show your gratitude without ulterior motives – otherwise, it isn’t gratitude.

I’ll tell you what I saw that brought me to tears – I saw men proud to be part of this great country, proud to wear their uniforms and proud to show others that they stood for something (even if they were not appreciated).

But more importantly, I saw a veteran standing on the side of the road as the parade passed and he was thanking everyone as they passed.  He was very sincere.  But then a women that was walking with her group in the parade, left the procession and ran to that man.  She gave him a big hug and said “Thank You!” He and I were shocked. She caught him off guard. It was beautiful!

I didn’t capture it on camera – but I will never forget it.  He meant it and she meant it and that was enough.  The fact that she went out of her way to hug this man was the most memorable part of the day for me.

I know I was touched by the spirit this day, because I was “sentido” the rest of the afternoon.  That is when I know I have been touched by the spirit, when silly movies move me…(That’s another blog topic)!

Anyway, just remember that it doesn’t take that much more to do the right thing and give a little of yourself.  And if you take the road less traveled – traffic is usually light.

Take care, God Bless and Cool Runnings, mon! – Michael Arellano

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