HOW FORTUNATE YOU (ALREADY) ARE

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American philosopher/author.

Doing just that won't get you very far; there's much more to accumulating blessings than just counting them.

And only recognizing blessings, at the expense of addressing problems, is a sure fire recipe for failure.

But it is a start.

You recognizing how fortunate you already are sets a baseline for becoming as fortunate as you wish to be.

I'LL THANK YOU NOT TO BE INGRATEFUL

"Too great a hurry to discharge an obligation is a kind of ingratitude."

François de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French writer

Remember to thank those who helped you on your way up while you are on your way up.

SELF-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

"It is another's fault if he be ungrateful, but it is mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man, I will oblige a great many that are not so."

Seneca

4th century BC Roman philosopher/playwright

It is easy to be offended when we do something right, not acknowledged.

Much harder not to be.

Take your reward from having done the good thing, even when the only recognition for having done so comes from you.

Repay Those Who Pay You

"Eaten bread is soon forgotten."

Thomas Fuller

17th century English cleric/author

What have you done for me lately?

If you have to work to remember recent kindness, do so.

Thankfully Working

"The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one."

Unknown

Unfortunately, the people who understand this the most are the ones without the jobs.

If you're not happy with your current job do all you can to find a better one, and as you do, be thankful you're working.

Being Grateful

"If "thank you" is the only prayer you say, that will be good enough."

Meister Eckhart

13th century German philosopher

This seemed appropriate this day before Thanksgiving.

Thank you for reading and sharing your wisdom in BW.

Thank You!

"There is as much greatness of mind in acknowledging a good turn as in doing it."

Seneca

4th century BC Roman philosopher

And yet so few people do.

The next time someone helps you find a job, get a promotion, or with some part of your job, thank them.

Employee Appreciation

"He who does not thank for little, will not thank for much."

Estonian Proverb

Other quotes having to do with gratitude say we don't express it as much as we should. We feel it, think it, but don't say it.

They're probably right.

Everything we get and become is, to varying degrees, the result of what others have done for us and on our behalf and nowhere is this more true than in business.

What do you have to be grateful about and who have you thanked?

Thank You!

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."

Cicero
Roman Statesman

The "mothership" for gratitude includes such things as appreciation, being thankful and giving recognition to those who help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

I thank all of you who have participated and followed Business Wisdom since its inception just a few short months ago and hope to see you with us in the time ahead.

Happy Holidays to you all and I wish you a much better 2009!