Value of the Month
Each month visitors to this site will see a clear explanation and application of one of the 25 Values in the Cherished Values character program. The value appears just as it is in the cherished values text for high school students.
The Value for this month is gratitude.
Gratitude
Thanksgiving for a former invites God to bestow a second blessing. ~Robert Herrick
It has been my observation over the years that of character qualities, gratitude is the most beautiful. And the absence of gratitude can cause people to dislike you instantly. Even ungrateful children are looked upon unfavorably. The ugliness of ingratitude is probably why one of the first things parents teach their children is to say, “Thank you.”
Gratitude is a strong value in this country gratitude that runs deep in our culture. Gratitude is the feeling of indebtedness, the belief that a force or forces outside of you have positively impacted (helped) your situation. In other words, things are better for you than you could have made them all by yourself, and they could almost always be worse. The seeds of gratitude are rooted in that awareness.
Gratitude is based upon the belief that no one should or can take full credit for the good things about his life outcome; therefore, we should all be grateful that things are as well as they are. Our sense of gratitude is rooted partly in the great advantage we have as Americans. Our country is vast and rich in natural resources. It is protected on three sides by natural borders and friendly neighbors on the other side. We have wealth, power, prestige, ingenuity, and seemingly unlimited possibilities. Since our situation is better than we could have planned it, or developed on our own, we think that a natural response to our good fortune should be gratitude. We value gratitude and don’t look favorably upon ungrateful people.
Character Application
Character in Daily Life
Character Application
Judging one’s character based on gratitude is difficult and unreliable. So, when it comes to gratitude, you must be the judge of your own character. There are observable things that grateful people do that indicate their gratitude. If their gratitude is rooted in religious beliefs, they usually say prayers of thanksgiving and follow the t
Judging one’s character based on gratitude is difficult and unreliable. So, when it comes to gratitude, you must be the judge of your own character. There are observable things that grateful people do that indicate their gratitude. If their gratitude is rooted in religious beliefs, they usually say prayers of thanksgiving and follow the teachings that their religion prescribes for grateful people.
They sometimes show their gratitude by sharing with others. Gratitude and selfishness don’t fit very well together. Most of the people I’ve known who expressed great gratitude were also caring and giving people. They didn’t hesitate to share their good fortune with others.
I think that the surest sign of one’s gratitude is in giving and humility. Since gratitude is rooted in the feeling that one’s good fortune came partly from sources outside of himself; to be arrogant and boastful about one’s accomplishments shows a lack of gratitude. If you take full credit for your good fortune you cannot be sufficiently grateful for it. So if you want to project good character around the value of gratitude, keep in mind that people will expect you to be humble and sharing. However, the degree of your gratitude can never be really known by others.
They can only judge by your behavior. They may also be able to judge by your level of happiness. I have never seen an ungrateful person who seemed happy. Happiness and ingratitude don’t seem to be able to dwell together in the same heart.
Rules to Live By
Character in Daily Life
Character Application
Gratitude
1. Always express thanks for favors you receive.
2. Never act as if people have to do things for you, or even be nice to you.
3. Share with those who have less.
4. Acknowledge the contributions others make to your life.
5. Write “thank you” notes for special favors.
6. Take good care of the things people give you.
7. Respond to receivi
Gratitude
1. Always express thanks for favors you receive.
2. Never act as if people have to do things for you, or even be nice to you.
3. Share with those who have less.
4. Acknowledge the contributions others make to your life.
5. Write “thank you” notes for special favors.
6. Take good care of the things people give you.
7. Respond to receiving by giving.
8. When appropriate, let people see you using the things they give you.
9. Never speak negatively of a gift or favor.
10. Show as much appreciation for small gifts or acts of kindness as for large ones.
Character in Daily Life
Character in Daily Life
Character in Daily Life
Every Saturday morning Mr. Wilson goes to his mother’s house to have breakfast with her. It is a routine he started after his father’s death. His wife knows that whatever she has planned for their weekends is not to interfere with her husband’s Saturday mornings with his mother. It is his way of saying thanks to her for the sacrifices she
Every Saturday morning Mr. Wilson goes to his mother’s house to have breakfast with her. It is a routine he started after his father’s death. His wife knows that whatever she has planned for their weekends is not to interfere with her husband’s Saturday mornings with his mother. It is his way of saying thanks to her for the sacrifices she made for him and his siblings while they were growing up.
What do you think are true signs of gratitude?
What are you grateful for?
What do you do to show your gratitude?
The Cherished Values
- Life and Human Dignity
- Religion and Religious Freedom
- Country and Citizenship
- Personal Freedoms
- Respect for the Rights of Others
- Respect for Others’ Property
- Justice and Fair Play
- Motherhood
- Family
- Respect for the Elderly
- Taking Personal Responsibility
- Diligent and Honest Work
- Knowledge
- Contributing to Society (Philanthropy)
- Obeying the Rules
- Respect for Authority
- Taking Care of Our Environment
- Gratitude
- Humility
- Loyalty
- Compassion (Kindness)
- Worthy Accomplishments
- Honesty and Integrity in Speech and Deed
- Courage
- Virtue
The more of these values students embrace, the more successful they are in school and life in general.
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