Gratitude is the milk of human kindness. It not only enhances the worth of the grateful soul, but also encourages the other side by sincere acknowledgment. Happiness can promote repetition of such behavior, strengthening the positive attitude, spreading good relations. When one expresses a simple all encompassing word THANK you, it says it all. Whether it should be qualified further, it depends on situations and motives of both. Was it done with a special motive to draw attention towards oneself or whether the response was spontaneous demanded by the situation , feelings of human values? Some would deliberately avoid the sense of being grateful to show insensitivity and send a negative attitude and the message of being not touched. Even though it might not be expected response silence can cause disappointment.
Everyone from parents, neighbours, siblings, friends, have felt the sting of emotion of ingratitude at some point in their life to varying degrees. It has left them wounded while others have just ignored it with a smile and laughter. Pondering over it can only aggravate the feelings of remorse, whether the kind act of gratitude has had its desired result. Individuals go to great lengths to confer a benevolent act, when it could have been ignored without any obligation and expectations.
The ingratitude is felt deeply only when there is close bond of relationship and not with encounters with casual strangers. It may be that some are honest, sincere enough requesting not to embarrass them with overt behavior. Some in their positions, power , influence can offer acts as normal, routine course of their dealings, but still it is worth appreciation and recognition.
How ungrateful are children at times towards their parents, who have sacrificed with love and dedication and instead of reciprocating, treating them with ingratitude. How often do brothers and sisters overlook their duty towards one another.
The neighbours often are loggerheads over trifling matters to settle scores, forgetting the better times of togetherness over the years. Friends who had shared good relations perhaps for life long, suddenly are on the opposite side of each other accusing each other of ingratitude. Ingratitude is also the other side of gratitude? It is a fact of life to be contended within life of human existence.
When ingratitude is reduced to barest minimum then joy, happiness, co-operation becomes the bedrock of friendship and good relations. Nevertheless elimination of ingratitude at different levels of relationship is a myth. Is it ego, complexes jealousy, pride and envy or just the habit of taking things for granted, lethargy or indifference that is displayed, sowing the seed of ingratitude?
Gratitude cannot be dispensed, in measured, calculated doses of only reciprocation instead of shared values.
