First Step

John Kennedy said,"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

What is the meaning of living by gratitude? When we talk about spirituality, what is the meaning of living out the spirituality. Instead of discussing it, blogging about it, or teaching it.

Whatever goodness that we learn in the quest to refine our inner self, I find that it is always easier to apply what we have learnt to the outside world compared to those closest to us.

I ask myself this. Is it not easier for me to say a simple Thank You to the cleaner who is paid to clean the office when she was making her rounds to clean our working desk compared to thanking my husband who bought dinner back for me on his way back from work? Am I not taking his kindness for granted? Am I not being ungrateful?

If we bump into someone on the bus, our natural reaction is to say sorry. Is it then just as easy to apologize to your close one who have waited 10 minutes for you because you were late? No. Most of the time, our close ones are supposed to understand why we are late.

Many simple theories .. are hardest to put into practice on those closest to us. Why? For me, the reason is because I have this tendency of taking those close to us for granted.

I have read quite many good books on Spirituality. I even had the opportunity to listen to some great teachings from very good and down-to-earth Spiritual Masters. But I feel that, all that I know is considered void if I can't even put whatever I know into practice on those who are closest to me.

I write this post to remind myself to get down-to-earth. Whatever I have heard, I strive to first put into practice as I am among my closest kin. It may begin with a simple Sorry or Thank You with sincerity, but well, like what Lao Tze said, "A Journey of a Thousand Miles, Must begin with the First Step."