November 28, 2025
Quite a few times, I gave gifts to family members and friends over the past year … and didn’t get one thank you note. Maybe I’m thin-skinned or maybe I want more recognition than I deserve. Or maybe we’ve forgotten how important it is to say “thank you.” It’s always painful to be unappreciated for an act of kindness or generosity. I can only imagine how Jesus felt when he healed those ten lepers and only one came back to thank him.
People who understand the importance of gratitude are among the happiest and healthiest people. Many studies link an attitude of gratitude to good physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Grateful people don’t report as many health problems. They enjoy more happiness and suffer less depression and stress. They have higher self-esteem because rather than comparing themselves with others, they’re thankful for what they have. They’re also more empathetic and less resentful, not to mention they get a good night’s sleep.
A few months ago, I bought a notepad that had the title “Today I am thankful for …” and you had a space to fill in the blanks, which I did every night before going to bed. After I got into the habit of appreciating what I have to be grateful for, my spiritual outlook changed, and the daily adversities didn’t seem so insurmountable. You see, I realized my blessings far outweighed my problems.
©J Pisani
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