Gratitude and graciousness

"One of the cardinal principles of Judaism is gratitude — the necessity and ability to say "thank you". Someone who is kafuy tova — unappreciative of what he or she has and ungrateful to the extreme — is deemed to be a sinner, if not in deed certainly in attitude. The Talmud in its inimitable fashion states that a living person should always refrain from complaint — it is sufficient that one is still alive for gratitude to be present and expressed.

Those who find it difficult to say thank you to other human beings for their help will also find it difficult to say thank You to G-d for the gift of life and all that accompanies that gift. We become accustomed to gifts and kindnesses extended to us and take them for granted.

Only when they are no longer there do we begin to appreciate their value and importance.

The wise person will learn to say thank you while those gifts, persons and situations are still present among us."

Click on the link below for the full article:

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/wein/wein_gratitude.php3