The Fine Art of Gratitude
Gratitude
Practice is probably something you think you’re done with when you leave school or give up music lessons. But, have you ever thought of practicing the fine art of gratitude?
The simplicity of gratitude and the powerful effect it has on our lives is unequaled by any other practice of its kind.
There’s a special kind of magic in gratitude for it raises our consciousness, recharges our energy, enhances our self-worth, and strengthens our spirit. Gratitude most certainly counts.
It’s quite possible to attain great wealth, the best education, and an exceptional quality of life and still be unhappy. This occurs when people live with an absence of gratitude.
Success is a process that includes both peaks and valleys, but the one constant in a truly successful life is gratitude.
A successful life requires ongoing growth, and gratitude ensures growth. Gratitude heightens awareness and expands your interaction with the world.
Once gratitude becomes part of your nature you begin to see the connections between your success and creature comforts, and the talents and contributions of others.
Consider the following:
- The farmer plants, waters, fertilizes and harvests the tomatoes you enjoy.
- The truck driver delivers the food to the market that will soon feed your family.
- The baker kneads and bakes the bread for the sandwich you’ll eat for lunch.
- The engineer and architect design the bridge that allows you to get to work.
- The furniture maker’s handiwork creates the furniture in your living room.
- The plumber fixes your leak, clears your drain and plunges your toilet.
- The teacher educates and inspires your children to be the best they can be.
- The customer provides the support that enables everyone to receive wages.
- The performer engages the imagination and entertains your senses.
- The seamstress sews the beautiful clothes that make you look great.
- The physician and nurse help to bring your beautiful baby into the world.
Pause for a moment and begin to think of the connections between people and you will immediately understand how important a role gratitude plays in the creation of a happy, productive life.
We live in a world where we have much to be grateful for if we would just stop and look around.
It’s quite humbling to think of all the roles that complete strangers play in our daily existence. The sheer ingenuity and effort required of others is one of the most compelling reasons why we must make gratitude a daily practice.
Humility is a virtue integral to gratitude as we cannot recognize the need for gratitude without it.
Everything Counts! by Gary Ryan Blair
It is a wonderful and timely message for living a full, rich life of excellence, gratitude and quality.
John Wiley Publishing has created and priced Everything Counts so that you can give it as a gift to every person on your Christmas list.
If there is anyone to whom you want to express gratefulness or someone who needs to be reminded that everything counts—this is the gift for them!
I am very proud of this particular piece of work and very excited to finally be able to offer it to you!
30 Responses to “The Fine Art of Gratitude”
Gordon Hurd November 24th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Well done Gary! You always put out the best and I cannot wait to lay my hands on copies of your book. Thanks for always being an inspiration.
Chris Bryant November 24th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Hello Gary,
Thank you for inspiring, promoting, and celebrating excellence. Thank you for creating and leading the 100 day challenge. Thank you for writing your new book Everthing Counts! I look forward to reading it.
I wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving Day!
Sincerely,
Chris Bryant
Longview, WA
USA
Jess November 24th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Congratulations! After 10 years of pushing, you must be overjoyed to finally give birth to “Everything Counts”. Thank you for your example of perseverance and for sharing your journey. I look forward to the day. The book sounds like a powerful read. I look forward to absorbing it and sharing it with my circle.
Richest Blessings,
Jess
Jerri November 24th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Wonderful article. Very well thought out and written well.
I appreciate the effort that went into this message. And the message itself. We are indeed a blessed people. We have a great God, who gives us more than we deserve, and America is a land of great people who understand the power of shared strengths.
Karen Faith Kuhns November 24th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Dear Gary:
I agree 100% with you concerning Gratitude. My mom drilled it in me and I in turn drilled it in my family and now my grandchildren.
I love this time of year because I personally write to each church and family who supports me to be on the Mission field. I could not be here without them. Having a thankful spirit has given me strength and hope as a widow missionary.
I truly thank God for His many blessings in my life. These days of 100 day challenge have been a great blessing to me as well. Thank you!
Mr. Positive! November 25th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Gary, I positively endorse the practice of gratitude in our daily lives and I appreciate this wonderful message. Many Blessings to you and yours, David aka; Mr. Positive!
sara mann November 25th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Big Gratitude – I just finished a performance project at UC Davis – in an educational system – envisioning future, bringing their skills into action with my performance training and using your 100 day challenge to inspire me and them!!!!!!!!
Universities – someplace I thought i had no place in – well you are magnificent and teaching me how to be an influence in the world every minute. I look forward to your book. Sara – I love you
TS Stephen November 25th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Hi Gary,
It is a fantastic message and a very needy practical lesson. Thank you very much. – Stephen
Terry November 25th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Man if your book is anything like the 100 Day Challenge…I can’t wait to read it.
You are a total inspiration Gary and I am very grateful.
Please don’t give up your day job!
Susanna November 25th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Dear Gary
Thank you for being the Maestro of the 100 Day Challenge.
It is an excellent program and the next book I buy will be yours.
Thank you for the article as well,
Happy Thanksgiving, !!
Susanna
Seye Dosunmu November 25th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Dear Gary,
You always write excellent pieces and that is why I enrolled in the 100 Day Challenge! I can’t wait to get a hold of this as it comes with the 100 Day Challenge subscription.
As a minister of the gospel, the attitude of gratitude is enjoined severally in the Bible and I marvel at the profound effects it has on the human spirit.
Thanks for sharing, promoting and celebrating excellence.
Seye Dosunmu
Lagos, Nigeria
uday shanker November 25th, 2009 at 5:30 am
Dear Gary,
I thank you for reminding of the great art, a great skill, and a path to come near to the almighty.
Shankar November 25th, 2009 at 6:08 am
Congratulations! Ten years is a considerable period in one’s life time. Thanks for the tip – practice gratitude. What a wonderful idea!
Shankar, India
Eddybok November 25th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Thanks Gary,
Yes, in life everything counts and anyone who truly accepts this is certainly ever grateful and humble to the numerous gifts of God around us.
Scott Dennison November 25th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Gary,
The book is excellent. I love the power that is packed into each of the “vignettes”, each being a piece of the puzzle whose picture forms a full and rich life. My life is richer because of my experiences from knowing you. I wish you and your’s a fruitful and fulfilling Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday season!
Warmly,
Scott A Dennison
Rosa Muziotti November 25th, 2009 at 9:59 am
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for inspiring us to appreciate people and things around us.
Qassem al-Emadi November 25th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Salam Gary,
In Arabic, would like to say to you “Mabrouk”
With Best Wishes,
Qassem al-Emadi
Qatar
Kathleen November 25th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Gary
Thanks for the reminder that Gratitude is so important. Our lives often become so busy and full that we take for granted the things we have and forget to be thankful for those people that help to make them possible. One more thing to be thankful and grateful for this holiday season….
Just ordered your book and can’t wait for it to arrive.
Happiest of Holidays to you and yours,
Eat Smart Age Smart November 25th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Gary,
I agree with Scott Dennison, the book has a lot to offer and this is the perfect time of the year to refocus and make sure you live a life focused on excellence!
In fact, I bet that if you sit down with a cup of coffee, you can read this book in three hours and start implementing a lot of the great lessons. This book will make you think!
Congratulations on your book launch!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Krizia
Vera November 25th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Dear Gary,
I think this is a good opportunity to say thank you for your ability to get me doing what I needed to do via the 100day challenge. It is good to give honour to whom honour is due.
Will give a feedback at the end of it.
Enjoy your day!
Vera
Chasen Chess November 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Congrats! on the book.
I know the feeling on the labor of love since I’m finishing my first book also.
As they say… ” Find something you love to do and you’ll never work another day in your life!”
Happy THANKS-giving
Chasen Chess
Boulder, Colorado, USA
Roy Naim November 28th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
The one thing I kept saying over and over this past Thanksgiving is that I am grateful for the ability to be grateful. Period.
So often the fact that we can be thankful means that we are alive..breathing…it a powerful thought personally.
claude shama November 29th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Hey Gary,
What a powerful message is contained in “gratitude”, what a timely reminder to us all to be purposeful and in action in the direction of something that is truly meaningful to each of us. The bigger the picture, the greater the outcome. Thank you Gary for being the one who leads by example, who sets the pace for us to join in. I love it and I am appreciative of who you are.
Jessica Allen November 29th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I just happily ordered 3 copies – 1 for me and 2 for people I’m not sure who I am going to give it to yet!
Your 100 Day Challenge has completely changed my life, my mindset… everything. Can’t wait to crack open this book. Ordered with 2 day shipping!
Timothy November 29th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Coach,
I am very grateful that God allowed our paths to cross back in 1995. Since that time you have shared principles with me that have guided me to be more productive member of society, a better husband and father and a highly successful business owner.
Everything Counts! is a book of these same simple, yet powerful principles that will work for anyone who will work them.
Best Wishes Sir……
Catherine Ross November 29th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Daer Gary Ryan, Once again, many thanks for all of your generous gifts- I really enjoyed the article on practicing the fine art of gratitude! I am just so happy for you and I am spreading the messgae like ‘wild-fire’ that Everything Counts!
What a truly ‘inspirational gift’ that has been long in the making, but finally is here! The whole world needs your message that Everything Counts!
With Gratitude and Joy, Catherine Ross
Ibrahim Downey November 30th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Congrats Gary! You have take a dream and transformed it into an inspiration yet again… You Go Guy! I hope to be cool like you when I grow up.
With much appreciation and respect,
Ibrahim Downey
SIBKIS Counseling Services Inc.
Chief Inspirational Officer
Roxanne November 30th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Hello Gary,
I noted your connection of humility with gratitude. As for me, humility is an intrinsic part of gratitude. Hope to get a copy of your book!
Doris December 5th, 2009 at 4:21 am
May God richly bless you and congratulations! Very good book there.
Iwali February 12th, 2010 at 4:28 am
Gary,
You are so good about writing about gratitude.
Thank you so much. I love the book so much that I’m nearly finished reading it only two more chapters.
Bye, Iwali