I read and come across so many enlightening ideas and secrets of happiness. They all come free to me. Just like a Gift.

Do I acknowledge them? Do I acknowledge and appreciate the source of these secrets? When I receive a material gift, I go all the way out to appreciate and thank the person or the source of the gift.  Do I do the same for the Gift of wisdom and happiness, which is the biggest gift I can get? Bigger than all the material gifts I can receive. Do I show gratitude towards the spiritual Gifts of Wisdom?

Here is a sharing of an article by Rabi Noah Weinberg on the same topic.

“After hearing a good story, joke, or idea, were anxious to repeat it to others. But in doing so, the tendency is to present it as our own original invention.

Haomer davar bishaim omro literally means "say it in the name of the one who said it." Whenever quoting something, you should always acknowledge the source. In other words, "dont steal credit."

The Talmud, the classical book of wisdom, goes to great lengths to trace the intellectual lineage of an idea: "So-and-so said in the name of So-and-so, who said in the name of So-and-so."

So next time youre ready to share a juicy one, dont forget to mention: Where did you get it from?

THE GIFT OF WISDOM

In order to properly appreciate anything, we need to assess its value. Thats why when someone gives us a material gift, we usually have no problem showing gratitude.

The 48 Ways says: Acknowledge spiritual gifts, too. Wisdom is certainly more valuable than gold, and the secret of happiness is more precious than a diamond!

Acknowledge that you received the gift. If someone took the blinders off your eyes, its fantastic, its a different life. Say to yourself: "I am now aware of something very important that I wasnt paying attention to." Say it out loud. That alone will make you feel genuine appreciation.

Now, let the source know how much you appreciate it. Consider as if the "thank you" is payment for the good idea. Enjoy paying this debt, dont loathe paying it. The pleasure that youll give the other person is small payback for such an enormous gift!

VALUE THE SOURCE

When you acknowledge the source, you dont lose, you win. You will never be able to appreciate a piece of wisdom, an insight into living, unless you are willing to acknowledge the gift. Because by denying the gift, you downgrade its value. Therefore you wont apply it seriously – because to you it doesnt have value.

Furthermore, if you are consciously aware of where your wisdom is coming from, then youre much more likely to go get more.

Direct others to the source as well. Let everybody know. When somebody else is happy, it doesnt steal any happiness from you. Actually, the more people who are happy, the easier it is for you to be happy.

When theres more wisdom around, the greater life becomes for us all.

WARNING SIGNS

Why do people have a hard time acknowledging someone else as the source of an idea?

The reality is that people crave independence, and are grappling for status and one-upmanship. Debts to others seem to threaten that stature. We dont like to imagine that we werent smart enough to "figure it out for ourselves."

In truth, independence means that you pay your debts.

TRACK DOWN OPINIONS

There is a more subtle dynamic at play here. Sometimes we pick up prevalent ideas in society, and walk around presenting them as our own conclusions.

Make a list of your opinions on subjects like free will, absolute truth, evolution, abortion, etc. Track down the source of each. Are they your original ideas? If not, where did they come from? Did you read a magazine article, or a friend impressed you? How did you reach your conclusion?

Dont fool yourself. Recognize that once your ego is invested, youre not looking at the evidence, pro and con. Youre just "defending your conclusion." And the inherent danger is obvious: Deep down, were not sure whether or not we believe it.

For example, you may believe "there is no absolute truth." Instead, try rephrasing it: "People say there is no absolute truth." This way, youre free to investigate the idea objectively, without being locked into a position.

Now shift the question a bit deeper: Why did you choose to identify with these particular ideas in the first place?

Next time you hear a discussion of a controversial topic, resist the temptation to accept an idea just to feel that youve "settled the issues of living." Defer a conclusion until youve heard all the evidence. Otherwise its pretending, play-acting, not really living.”

So True!

Thanks a lot Rabi Noah Weinberg.

I am fine.