Do We Express Gratitude?

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Do We Express Gratitude?
Anybody who knows me can tell you that I'm an animal lover. And over the years I've observed that dogs, for example, show a great deal of gratitude. They'll circle, bark, jump up, and lick someone's face. It's their instinctive way to acknowledge or thank that person. Other animals surely do the same sort of thing in their own ways. Evidently a humpback whale off the California coast thanked her rescuers for cutting her free from ropes that were threatening her life. If she didn't, it certainly looked like it. The story was carried in the San Francisco Chronicle in December, 2005. Humpback whales are those huge creatures whose complex vocal sounds resemble singing. They are also incredibly acrobatic and can be seen to soar majestically from the water and splash down. On the second Sunday in December, 2005, a 16 to 18 metre humpback was spotted between the Northern California coast and Baja California. It was entangled in long nylon ropes. Rescuers said at least a dozen crab traps - each weighing about 40 kilograms - were strung together by ropes. And the female humpback was not only snared in them, she was also being pulled downward by their weight. In fact, she was struggling to keep her blow-hole out of the water and was in serious jeopardy. Four divers spent about an hour cutting the ropes off the whale's tail, left front flipper, and mouth. It was extremely risky for the men in the water. One flip of a humpback's massive tail can kill a human being. But she stopped struggling and lay passive in the water as the ropes were cut off in order to set her free. As soon as the enormous whale was free of the entanglements, she began swimming around in circles. Like a puppy happy to see its owner, she swam to each of the divers in turn, nuzzled him gently, and then moved to the next one. Then she moved out into the open waters off the coast of San Francisco. It was truly amazing! When I read this amazing story, it made me wonder about human ingratitude. I've always tended to excuse my own and that of others with neglect. Or maybe it's just forgetfulness. But I wonder now if that could be mistaken. And the reason I say this, is because, if gratitude is natural and instinctive to animals, that would seem to imply that human ingratitude is deliberate. It is the suppression of a natural urge. It is a choice to think that I am due any breaks or good fortune that might come my way. When you and I stop to think about it, all of us have had parents or mentors, friends or teachers, employers or strangers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us over the years. These special people have made critical differences in the way we have lived our lives. Well, as I reflect on what I've just shared with you today, it comes to my mind that if a gigantic leviathan can express gentle thanks, then why can't we? We are encouraged to communicate with gifts-to "say it with flowers." Gifts may communicate our affection. But loving words, such as "thank you" and "I love you," or "I genuinely appreciate what you have done for me," wrap those gifts with warmth and gentleness. Friend, if you've been challenged by what I've shared with you today and would like some help in exercising some gracious goodness to others, I encourage you to write to me for a FREE booklet titled "GRACIOUS GOODNESS". My postal address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. Or you may Phone/Fax your request on: (08) 9841 8418. E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au Thanks for taking the time to read what I have written for you today.

Anybody who knows me can tell you that I'm an animal lover. And over the years I've observed that dogs, for example, show a great deal of gratitude. They'll circle, bark, jump up, and lick someone's face. It's their instinctive way to acknowledge or thank that person. Other animals surely do the same sort of thing in their own ways.

Evidently a humpback whale off the California coast thanked her rescuers for cutting her free from ropes that were threatening her life. If she didn't, it certainly looked like it. The story was carried in the San Francisco Chronicle in December, 2005.

Humpback whales are those huge creatures whose complex vocal sounds resemble singing. They are also incredibly acrobatic and can be seen to soar majestically from the water and splash down. On the second Sunday in December, 2005, a 16 to 18 metre humpback was spotted between the Northern California coast and Baja California. It was entangled in long nylon ropes.

Rescuers said at least a dozen crab traps - each weighing about 40 kilograms - were strung together by ropes. And the female humpback was not only snared in them, she was also being pulled downward by their weight. In fact, she was struggling to keep her blow-hole out of the water and was in serious jeopardy.

Four divers spent about an hour cutting the ropes off the whale's tail, left front flipper, and mouth. It was extremely risky for the men in the water. One flip of a humpback's massive tail can kill a human being. But she stopped struggling and lay passive in the water as the ropes were cut off in order to set her free.

As soon as the enormous whale was free of the entanglements, she began swimming around in circles. Like a puppy happy to see its owner, she swam to each of the divers in turn, nuzzled him gently, and then moved to the next one. Then she moved out into the open waters off the coast of San Francisco. It was truly amazing!

When I read this amazing story, it made me wonder about human ingratitude. I've always tended to excuse my own and that of others with neglect. Or maybe it's just forgetfulness. But I wonder now if that could be mistaken. And the reason I say this, is because, if gratitude is natural and instinctive to animals, that would seem to imply that human ingratitude is deliberate. It is the suppression of a natural urge. It is a choice to think that I am due any breaks or good fortune that might come my way.

When you and I stop to think about it, all of us have had parents or mentors, friends or teachers, employers or strangers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us over the years. These special people have made critical differences in the way we have lived our lives.

Well, as I reflect on what I've just shared with you today, it comes to my mind that if a gigantic leviathan can express gentle thanks, then why can't we? We are encouraged to communicate with gifts-to "say it with flowers." Gifts may communicate our affection. But loving words, such as "thank you" and "I love you," or "I genuinely appreciate what you have done for me," wrap those gifts with warmth and gentleness.

Friend, if you've been challenged by what I've shared with you today and would like some help in exercising some gracious goodness to others, I encourage you to write to me for a FREE booklet titled "GRACIOUS GOODNESS". My postal address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. Or you may Phone/Fax your request on: (08) 9841 8418.
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Thanks for taking the time to read what I have written for you today.