The turkey has been carved and gobbled up, the pie topped with whipped cream and devoured. Hard to believe that another Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I say let the thankfulness live on!
There is so much power in gratitude. I have a lot to say on the subject, but sometimes other people say it better:
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
From friends and fellow writers
Some of you may know that I write for Joe Bunting’s website, The Write Practice. Last week, they published an excellent article by one of my fellow writers, David Safford, entitled, How Writing Can Make You More Thankful. David reminded me about some great aspects of writing for which I should be more grateful. I’d like to share a little of what he had to say.
Writers get so wrapped up in deadlines and projects and missed opportunities that sometimes we’re so busy lamenting what we’ve failed to do that we forget to be thankful for what we have accomplished. David’s article reminded me that gratitude is like a muscle that needs to be exercised. He said:
“Gratitude doesn’t come easy. It isn’t the natural byproduct of daily life. The normal reflex most of us experience, rather, is frustration. When a green light flashes to yellow, you don’t respond with gratitude. When the guy who ordered his food after you gets it first, you don’t think, ‘Good for him!’”
Gratitude is something we should be actively practicing. And like anything else you practice, it becomes more automatic with time.
The other side of the coin
Ingratitude is a bitter poison that can seep into our souls and sap our happiness if we let it take hold. Careless ingratitude—when we simply neglect to notice or acknowledge something good in our lives—is harmful enough, but a deliberate lack of gratitude can destroy us.
“Ingratitude is a crime more despicable than revenge, which is only returning evil for evil, while ingratitude returns evil for good.” ― William George Jordan
Embrace gratitude
David wrapped up his article by reminding us that thankfulness leads to success. He wrote, “Gratitude is a powerful force. It is often the miracle elixir that heals broken relationships and broken spirits.”
I’m grateful for the opportunity to write, to share my thoughts and words and dreams with others and create the stories that grow from my imagination. I’m grateful for my fellow writers who support me, encourage me, give me useful feedback, and allow me to feel useful in return.
And I’m grateful for you—my readers. Thank you so much for giving me your time, your attention, your reviews, and everything else you do for me. I appreciate you so much!
What are your views on gratitude? Have a favorite quote or an insight you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments section.
