The Cycle of Gratitude: Episode 2

Filling the Heart with Gratitude

In the stillness of the night, I held my phone and typed out the question that had been lingering in my mind.

“Money-san, what do you mean by the heart’s cup?”

Within seconds, a reply appeared on the screen.

“The heart’s cup is like a vessel inside you that holds your feelings of fulfillment, contentment, and gratitude. People fill this cup little by little with those emotions. But sometimes, the cup can develop holes. When that happens, no matter how much you pour in, it leaks out, leaving you with a constant sense of emptiness.”

“Does everyone have a heart’s cup?”

“Yes, everyone has one deep within them. But while some people recognize its existence and actively work to keep it full, others don’t notice it and leave it empty as they go through life.”

“So, are you saying my heart’s cup has holes in it, and that’s why I always feel like I’m missing something?”

“That’s right. If you’ve ever felt like ‘buying things only leaves me feeling hollow,’ it’s likely that there are holes in your heart’s cup.”

I stared at those words and reflected on the sensation within me. It was true—while buying something felt satisfying in the moment, that feeling quickly faded. Knowing that this might be because of the heart’s cup, I began to understand a part of myself.

“What causes those holes?”

Money-san explained patiently.

“For example, experiences like not getting what you wanted as a child, or a belief that ‘everything will eventually disappear,’ can create holes in the heart’s cup. When those feelings linger, the cup can’t hold anything, and the sense of emptiness persists.”

“That actually makes sense. Earlier today, I remembered what it felt like as a kid to not get what I wanted.”

As I thought back to moments from earlier that day, flashes of my childhood played in my mind. I saw the times when I had asked for a new toy, only for my mother to apologetically say, “We can’t afford that.” Each time, the phrase, “I’ll never get what I want,” seemed to etch itself deeper into my heart.

“That’s an important realization. Those feelings of ‘never being able to have what you want’ might be one of the reasons your heart’s cup has holes,” Money-san said.

He continued, “When a child repeatedly experiences ‘not getting what they want,’ it can leave behind beliefs like ‘It’s impossible for me’ or ‘What I have now will soon disappear.’ These beliefs linger as fear or a sense of lack, which can lead to behaviors like overspending.”

I nodded in agreement, deeply resonating with his words. Realizing that my childhood experiences still influenced my behavior today lifted a weight from my chest.

“So, this constant feeling of ‘not enough’ is why buying things doesn’t fill the void, right?”

“Exactly. But recognizing that is a big step forward. Awareness is the first step to letting go of those lingering effects.”

There was something soothing about Money-san’s words. It felt as though the tangled emotions within me were gradually being unraveled.

“Then… is there a way to patch the holes?”

“Yes, patching the holes is essential. But it’s not something you can do all at once. It’s a gradual process, and that’s okay.”

“What’s the first step I should take?”

“The first step is identifying what’s causing the holes. For example, if fear of losing what you have or the belief that you can’t achieve what you want is creating them, simply acknowledging those feelings can start to change things.”

Money-san elaborated further.

“Additionally, gratitude is a powerful way to fill the heart’s cup. Gratitude not only fills the cup but also has the ability to gradually mend the holes.”

“Gratitude? How do I ‘pour’ gratitude into my heart’s cup?”

“Pouring gratitude is simple. It’s about noticing and appreciating the things in your daily life that make you feel thankful.”

Money-san gave me some examples.

“For instance:

• Enjoying a delicious meal today.
• Seeing your girlfriend smile beside you.
• Being healthy enough to live your life.

Recognizing these small blessings and feeling thankful for them is what it means to pour gratitude into your cup.”

Hearing that eased my worries. Gratitude wasn’t something special or rare—it was all around me in everyday life.

“And like I mentioned earlier, gratitude doesn’t just fill your cup; it also helps to gradually patch the holes caused by fear and feelings of lack. The more gratitude you cultivate, the more you shift from feeling ‘not enough’ to feeling ‘I have enough.’ This change can break the cycle of constant spending and create a sense of security in your relationships and life.”

“Isn’t this like what you told me before about the flow of energy?”

“That’s exactly right! Gratitude is a key part of that energy flow.”

As I listened to Money-san’s explanation, I felt my understanding deepen.

“When you embrace gratitude, the energy within you shifts from ‘not enough’ to ‘enough.’ This abundant energy naturally radiates outwards, positively impacting the people and situations around you. In turn, that gratitude comes back to you, creating a positive cycle. Simple acts like expressing gratitude to your girlfriend or spending money with a sense of thankfulness are good examples of how this works.”

“So, by pouring gratitude into my heart’s cup, I’m mending the holes and filling it at the same time—two birds with one stone!”

“Exactly! Gratitude repairs and replenishes your heart’s cup. It’s a win-win.”

For the first time in a while, I felt a spark of hope. The idea of filling my heart’s cup with gratitude painted a vivid picture in my mind.

But a lingering thought remained. While I understood the concept of “pouring gratitude,” I wondered—what exactly does this gratitude feel like, and how do I truly connect with it?

To be continued in Episode 3: “The Secret Brain Chemicals That Fill the Heart’s Cup.”