About GRATITUDE

According to the definition given by dictionary, GRATITUDE is the ability of showing appreciation or of being thankful for all what you have been given, helping us to focus more on the abundant side of life and by doing so we increase our capacity of being happy!

In fact, by extrapolation, we could say that gratitude is a form of love for one another too, because when we feel true gratitude for another we truly begin to harmonize with that person, while relationship becomes much stronger.

On the other hand, scientific research has been shown that heartfelt gratitude it is the most effective medicine for depression, while taking nothing for granted!
The literary tradition has long recognized gratitude’s transformative power, portraying it as both an internal virtue and a relational glue. Classic works (such as Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations”), insist on reflecting daily on one’s blessings, a practice that grounds moral development and emotional equilibrium.

Similarly, in the modern writings (writers like Maya Angelou and Kahlil Gibran) articulate gratitude as the lens through which life’s trials are given coherence and beauty. Angelou’s reflections suggest that even in circumstances affected by injustice or hardships, active attention to moments of connection and compassion enriches human experience. Therefore, gratitude becomes not merely a reactive response to kindness, but rather an ongoing orientation toward life itself, deepening our capacity for meaning and joy.

In our daily lives, the practice of gratitude can manifest in a multitude of forms, some seemingly mundane yet profoundly impactful. Morning routines of silent reflection, noting aspects of one’s day or environment for which to be thankful, help prime the mind for positivity. The physical articulation of thanks (through kind letters, verbal acknowledgment, or small gestures of recognition) concretizes the abstract feeling into observable and socially reinforcing acts.

Many workplace research studies indicate that employee recognition programs grounded in gratitude enhance morale, teamwork and productivity, illustrating that gratitude’s benefits are not limited to personal spheres but extend into organizational and societal contexts.

Moreover, gratitude fosters ethical awareness and moral growth. To recognize and appreciate good in others is to cultivate attentiveness toward justice, empathy, and fairness; it nurtures a moral compass that encourages reciprocity and discourages exploitation. Ethical philosopher Immanuel Kant, while primarily concerned with duty and universality, acknowledged that gratitude could act as a bridge linking moral reasoning with lived relational experience. Expressing gratitude thus becomes a practice of moral embodiment, prompting action aligned with recognition of others’ inherent worth.

 “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart,” wrote Seneca once upon a time, while Cicero (a great Roman philosopher) said that “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”
Feeling grateful is a desired state of being because it is nurturing in every way; it is believed that the more appreciative you are for all the things you have in your life you would receive even more to be grateful for. And once again, please be kindly reminded that it is not happiness that brings us GRATITUDE, but rather gratitude that brings us HAPPINESS!  

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire ... if you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something ... for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times ... during those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations ... they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge... which will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes ... they will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary ... because it means you've given your all.

It's easy to be thankful for the 'good' things ... yet, a life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive ... find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

March 20, 2019: SPRING has arrived!

SPRING has sprung and the entire nature is unfolding the next cycle of re-birth...flowers are blooming, trees are flowering, birds are singing, days are getting slightly longer and longer, and the sun is getting shinier and shiner. With sincere joy and gratitude we celebrate again the greening of the Earth, welcoming beautiful beginnings. At this time of the year, I’m wishing each of you a wonderful season, trusting that the sun would shine bright upon you!

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” (Lev Tolstoy)

SPRING EQUINOX: a short scientific briefing  

“Spring Equinox” is an astronomical event, nearly noticed by everyone, when the day and night are almost of an equal length, marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere; this is commonly regarded as the instant of time when the plane (extended indefinitely in all directions) of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun.

This is one of the four seasonal turning points, when the strength of the old goes into the new as the power of life blossoms with grace while Nature springs again to LIFE. Enjoy!

SPRING (by Antonio Vivaldi) – audio

Socializing: 2019 – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day

Another beautiful group event, on Friday (March 8, 2019) celebrating the “International Women's Day“…eating together, socializing while enjoying each other’s company made it for another special page written in the book of time.  Once again dear friends, HAPPY International Women's Day!

“Girls with dreams become women with vision.“

Mesaj primit înspre publicare din partea Domnului Dr. Ovidiu Grecea* şi al Doamnei Liliana Grecea

Draga Alice, am ajuns cu bine acasă. Cât de distinse, frumoase și bucuroase au fost doamnele din comunitatea romanilor-canadieni din Vancouver, care au răspuns invitatiei tale și cât de bine s-a simțit toată lumea! Astfel de momente speciale, fără eticheta și protocol excesiv, aduc normalitatea și scot in evidentă adevăratele valori, aduna și nu dezbina, sunt pe sufletul romanilor adevarati care simt nevoia de a se aduna și de a petrece impreuna. Aceasta seara, acest eveniment cu o dedicație specială poate sa se constituie ca un exemplu dar și un punct de reper la revigorarea comunității si la înțelegerea ca numai impreuna, cu toleranta și dorința de bine, ne vom regăsi poziția binemeritata in multiculturalismul societății canadiene de astăzi. Romanii sunt frumoși, deștepți, muncitori și puternic legati de tradițiile lor dar trebuie sa se coaguleze, sa-și depășească niște complexe, frustrări sau animozități și sa construiască încet, sigur și solid o relație interumana de buna înțelegere și sprijin reciproc. Te-ai angajat pe un drum greu și nu vei avea o misiune ușoară dar intențiile tale bune, noblețea sufleteasca, delicatețea și gingasia ta, dublate de voința de a face ceva palpabil și concret se vor constitui in ingredientele benefice acestei comunități, in viitorul apropiat. A fost o reala onoare și plăcere pentru noi de a fi impreuna cu romanii noștri, cu care am discutat, împărtășit multe experiențe de viața și am petrecut prin muzica, dans și antren, o seara minunata.... iar acestea nu sunt cuvinte de diplomație ieftină, ci sunt trăirile unor oameni care in afara demnităților efemere deținute in timp, au avut șansa ca prin umila lor educație din familie și cea dobândită, înfruntând destule vicisitudini ale vieții sa cunoască mulți romani, in cele mai diferite continente din lumea asta. Tocmai de aceea, înțelegem și apreciem eforturile și implicarea ta și îți dorim mult succes, cu tact, calm și înțelepciune. Speram sa ne revedem sănătoși și voioși, 

Liliana și Ovidiu Grecea

*Domnul Ovidiu Grecea este Consul General şi Ministru Plenipotenţiar al României la Vancouver

This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture.