Here in the United States, we are preparing to celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving. As in other countries and cultures where a holiday of thanksgiving is observed, it is customary to express gratitude for one’s blessings and good fortune.

At times, it may seem difficult to express gratitude, indulgent even, particularly in a world where news media bring us constant reports of upheaval, hatred and tragedy. But it is my belief that even in the face of ugliness and evil – especially then – it is critical to remember the beauty and opportunity life has to offer. Scientific research leads to the conclusion that living in gratitude on a daily basis, not just once a year, enriches your own life and allows you to almost effortlessly enrich the lives of others.

Here are 25 quotations that I hope will spur you to take a few moments each day to reflect on how fortunate you really are and motivate you to express your gratitude to those who have had a positive impact in your life.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” William Arthur Ward

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer

“ ‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. ‘Thank you’ expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” Alice Walker

“Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one’s voice.” Joseph B. Wirthlin

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” Zig Ziglar

“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” Brene Brown

“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.” Kristin Armstrong

“If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” Frank A. Clark

“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” Harold Kushner

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” Sarah Ban Breathnack

“Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.” Marcus Aurelius

 “If we magnified blessings as much as we magnify disappointments, we would all be much happier.” John Wooden

“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” Guillaume Apollinaire

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” Alphonse Karr  

“It isn’t what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.” Author Unknown

“Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors.” Richelle E. Goodrich

 “When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” Tecumseh

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Thornton Wilder

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy 

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Epictetus

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” Cynthia Ozick

“Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside. No matter what is going on outside of us, there’s always something we could be grateful for.” Barry Neil Kaufman

“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” Eric Hoffer

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