Magic Words

Thank you is a powerful statement. Such a simple phrase really doesn’t seem like a mage’s chant or sorcerers mantra, but within these two words is contained the power to instill loyalty, divert wrath, bolster love, and erase misconceptions or hurt. In today’s world of misconceived entitlement, gratitude seems to have become nothing more than a formality in polite society and lost on everyone else. To tap the power of gratitude it must be something felt rather than spoken.
To be entitled is to justly have something without giving anything in return. We as humans are all entitled things such as freedom of choice, equality, happiness, and the basics of maintaining life. We are not entitled to objects, so when we receive things that we need or desire it is wrong to believe that we owe nothing in return. Often, we owe nothing more then to acknowledge the source of our benefit through gratitude. However, because many believe that they are “entitled” they give nothing in return. The power of gratitude is lost on these individuals and they sell themselves short for worthless objects.
When you sincerely say “thank you,” you are saying much more than words. You convey to others a willingness to see past yourself and give others the reassurance that you care, that you don’t just see them as a means to an end. Your gratitude is also a need that others may have. It gives them needed feelings of being wanted and belonging.
In order for gratitude to have this magic effect it must be sincere. Bluntly, this means that you have to actually be thinking about others. It means that you have to put aside selfishness and feelings of entitlement. A selfish thank you will have the opposite effect and will be offensive. The Holiday Season is magical. Barriers can be broken down, hate dampened, and discord calmed if you have gratitude. Without gratitude, holidays are a hassle, and gifts are hollow and dissatisfying. This year add a little magic by sending a thank you card, thanking a relative for no purpose, and looking at what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t. Put a little magic in the air this year. Say “thank-you”.
-Charles

Hello World I'm Glad To Meet You

Hello,

My middle name is Charles. I was named after a great man named Charles Stephens, my great grandfather. Now I never knew this man he died 3 years prior to my birth, but have learned a lot about him. I will use his name instead of my surname because of who he was and who I aspire to be.
Charles grew up in a small town called Tooele in a remote part of Utah during the depression. Now he wasn't a perfect man. He was not highly educated, worked as a school janitor, and didn't have a whole lot that our "society" would value. However, Charles had character.
Ever since the first two men shook hands in agreement character has been an unseen bond that holds our society together. When ever there has been troubled times in the world men of good character have come forward and stood for values. Their stalwart examples gave many hope when there was none to be found and pulled us through to times of prosperity.
Now, what is character? Well that's exactly what this blog is dedicated to. The search for and documentation of good men and women doing good things. I will be posting stories, comments, and observations that I find in the world around me. I hope through this venue to seek out the core values that this society was founded upon but have been buried by the advent of the "Me" generation. I am not blind to the realities that this blog won't be a maverick in the world of social thought. Nor am I expecting to change the course of thought that guides our country. My blog will simply be a way for those who share my views of the world to come together and give voice the the thoughts that fill our minds and beg to be spoken.
I invite all to comment on my weekly posts and share there feelings with all who will listen.

Charles