These days, I came across a handwritten letter. It wasn’t an official document or a sensational news story, but a neatly written letter from 8 young people addressed to police officers in Hue. Amidst the stream of harsh news about the floods, that letter was a quiet note that deeply touched my heart.
This story, to me, is not a major event, but a gentle reminder of the life values we sometimes forget: gratitude and kindness, found in the smallest things.
1. ‘A Simple Meal’ – Immense Warmth Amid Adversity
When the floodwaters surged, 8 individuals, all far from home, experienced the terror of a natural disaster for the first time. I try to imagine their feelings at that moment: disoriented, lost, and feeling so small in the face of the fury of nature. At that moment, they were given shelter by the police officers.
But what truly makes the story is this detail:
“A simple meal was enough to warm the hearts of those of us far from home… Though strangers, you were like fathers, uncles, and brothers—friendly, close, and caring for us.”
“A simple meal.”
In daily life, we might easily overlook it. But in adversity, when people feel their most vulnerable, that meal is no longer just material. It is safety, it is care, it is the clearest proof that we are not alone.
Those young people saw the “noble heart” behind that simple act. That is the purest expression of gratitude: the ability to recognize and appreciate the value of giving, however small.
2. ‘The Apology’ – A Lesson About Profound Humility
But the detail that truly made me pause and reflect was found in a sincere “apology” within the letter:
“Once again, we sincerely thank you… and we apologize if our presence inadvertently inconvenienced you.”
I read that sentence over and over.
In a world where we often talk about “rights” and what we “deserve,” this apology feels like a cool, refreshing stream.
The writers of this letter did not take the help they received for granted. They have a precious humility. They understood that to give them shelter, to provide a meal, the police officers also had to struggle amid the flood. That “apology” shows incredible empathy: not just being grateful for what they received, but also being conscious of and appreciative of the hardship of those who gave.
To me, this is gratitude at its highest level. It is not an exchange; it is a deep connection between souls.
3. The Power of Gratitude: Finding Wealth in the Smallest Things
This story makes me reflect on my own life. We are often so busy chasing big things, grand achievements, that we forget true happiness lies in the most ordinary things.
Gratitude has a magical power:
- It changes your perspective: When you are grateful, you focus on what you have (a shelter, a meal, a moment of care) instead of what you lack.
- It heals: In times of confusion and fear, gratitude is the most soothing medicine. It pulls the mind back to peace and positivity.
- It connects people: A sincere thank-you can turn strangers into “fathers, uncles, and brothers.”
Conclusion
We do not need to wait for great things to happen to feel grateful. Happiness is not a distant destination.
It lies right in how we perceive life.
Let’s be grateful for “a simple meal” today, a timely inquiry, a moment of care from a stranger. Because when you begin to see life through the lens of gratitude, you will realize that, no matter how small you are in this vast world, you are much wealthier than you think.
