Charles F.Kettering
 |
 |
 |
 |
Personal Growth Stories
Gifts From the Heart
According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher.
After a four-day journey he presented the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.
Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old leather container. The student challenged his teacher: 'Master, the water was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?'
The teacher replied, 'You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of loving-kindness and nothing could be sweeter. Heartfelt gifts deserve the return gift of gratitude.'
I think we understand this lesson best when we receive innocent gifts of love from young children. Whether it's a ceramic tray or a macaroni bracelet, the natural and proper response is appreciation and expressed thankfulness because we love the idea within the gift.
Gratitude doesn't always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling embodied in it. We should remind ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. After all, gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.
Written by Michael Josephson
www.charactercounts.org
More Stories
- Personal Growth Stories
- Strength and Courage
- A Picture of Peace
- Greet People Like A Puppy
- Promise Yourself
- The Magic Bracelet
- There's No Indispensable Person
- Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions
- Who's Driving Your Bus
- Which One Will Win?
- Ghandi's Shoes
- The Beautiful Scar
- The Greatest Treasure
- Picture the Memories
- Who really cares
- Yesterday's Door
- What I have learnt
- A life that makes a difference
- Kisses in a Box
- Who will you be tomorrow
- A New Learning Device
- Instructions for a wonderful and fulfilling life
- A Glorious Recipe for the Soul
- Life is for Living
- Installing love
- The Last Thing I Did
- It Feels Right
- A Boomerang World
- An Enriching Action
- I Wanted To Change The World
- Reflections
- Unexpected Lessons
- Those who love you
- But we never stop growing
- An Hour of Time
- Reflecting on the Good Times
- Lessons from the Court
- You are an Inspiration
- A Recipe for Joyful Living
- A Different Kind of Perspective
- The Whole World Came Together
- The Birthday Quilt
- Another Chance
- Ten Steps to Happiness
- Life is a bag of frozen peas
- Children learn from what they live
- Hold on Tightly
- Serenity
- No Strings Attached
- A Slice of Heaven
- The Value of Moral Courage
- The Perfect Partnership
- Daddy's Poem
- Three Little Words
- Gifts From the Heart
- May you always feel loved
- 12 Things Your Dog Can Teach You
Top of page
Shopping Cart