As Thanksgiving approaches, we hear a lot about gratitude—feeling it, expressing it, and being more aware of it. I love this emphasis on gratitude because- as research shows- noticing the good and turning towards it leads to less depression and more contentment and life satisfaction. Personally, I’m the kind of person who regularly makes lists of what she’s grateful for as a birthday-ritual and gives gushy speeches at family gatherings. So I am a big fan of gratitude practices. But to be honest with you, sometimes I feel concerned that in November-the season of gratitude- we, as a society, can pay lip service to thankfulness without letting it change what we actually do.
One of my favorite philosophers, Jean-Paul Sartre, wrote that “we are our choices.” (Yes, I have favorite philosophers. Doesn’t everyone? 😉 Sartre believed we aren’t defined by what we feel or think we value. We’re defined by what we actually do in life. If we want to be a grateful person, it is not enough to think about what we’re grateful for. We need to demonstrate our gratitude through our daily choices.
If we are grateful for our body- we can show our thanks by resting it, moving it, and nourishing it well. If we are grateful for a person in our life- we can show them by telling them what they mean to us, scheduling plans to see them, or calling them. If we are grateful for democracy, we can take action to ensure those institutions are maintained by contacting government representatives, protesting at marches, or volunteering with organizations working to protect civil rights.
This November, I’m asking myself: what is my gratitude calling me to do? Not just feel, not just think about—but actually do. That’s the kind of gratitude worth practicing.
