" Let us be grateful for the people who make us happy,they are the charming gardeners of our souls" is a quote I came across recently while surfing the net. Being grateful or expressing gratitude towards another soul is one of the greatest virtues we could possess,since it is not otherwise a part of human nature to thank somebody for all they have done in contributing their part to either make you what you are today or bringing a smile on your face or relief to your worries or adding a small tinge of happiness. This could apply to each and everybody that forms an integral part of our life, be it our parents,spouse,children,family,relatives, friends or colleagues. I even include people who get paid for or renumerated for the services they have provided to you,be it the rickshaw or taxiwallah,the bus driver/conductor,the train driver,doctor,chaiwallah,shopkeeper,paperwallah,doodhwallah,waiter,cleaner,mason,etc .We often fail to realise that many a time,our life seems so smooth or convenient because of their actions or contributions directly or indirectly which has brought us to a state where we feel very contented or capable of handling any of life's problems or pressures.
Now,The big question that arises is "How often are we thankful or express gratitude towards somebody for any of the above mentioned reasons? " ."How often do we realise their value in our lives? "
To be very honest,from my life's perspective,I myself have failed to be grateful many a time throughout life not only to my parents or elders,but even people who have got work done, as mentioned above. I guess this problem is not unique to me alone,but for most people,especially in the case of service being provided. I have had discussions with a few people regarding being grateful or expressing gratitude through a smile or thank you to people in profession(not only individuals in well respectable posts such as doctor,lawyer,teacher,engineer,banker,pilot,etc but even those doing menial jobs)and the reply I often got was "But they are getting paid for it,why should we be grateful as it is a part of their job!" Agree. Nobody disputes it.
But getting paid for something does not necessarily guarantee work getting done as there are many people out there who are recruited in companies or organisations for a certain post, yet desire to gain money without providing justice to their job. A few years of work experience has drawn me to this conclusion. Not only through this,but my personal experience with certain shopkeepers, public service employees or bankers add weight to my claim. Let us not forget that no matter the job or post somebody is recruited in,at the end of the day, they are mortal humans like us possessing all the emotions and qualities that make up a person. So,laziness,procastination,cunning,deceit,easy way out are some of the negative qualities that would affect every person employed in every profession or job and we musn't forget this fact either.
I now make it a point to acknowledge people's efforts and thank them for their contribution in making my life more convenient. How can I forget the role my parents and elders have played in shaping my moral and social values and inculcating good habits within me.?!
At the same time,many of us would face the problem of Ungratefulness.This is something which I have personally experienced while working in the corporate world. The mentality of today's youth employed in the corporate field is to be purely professional in every aspect of work without drudging in personal or emotional issues. Yes,this is absolutely required when it comes to work,lest it interferes with our ability to meet the required targets or deadlines as set in by our bosses or employers.But,at the same time,one musn't forget that we are all human in some way or the other and emotions play a key role in it.If a company can set in humane laws for an employee to work in, be it fixed work timings per day or weekly offs or lunch breaks, it can even encourage its employees to be more compassionate towards a fellow colleague facing certain issues at work. I guess as the world becomes more competitive in its approach,the lesser would be feelings of compassion and humanity for each other.
Today's society has come a long way from its past,where people of all communities and backgrounds are being recognised and given an equal opportunity to come up in life. Being grateful can play a huge part in society as it would help in mutual understanding between people of different communities or status and eventually help in building up or mending human relations,not only at the national level,but even worldwide at this concept is universal and applies to people throughout the planet,which will eventually play a small role in enabling the world to be a better place to live in.
