Grateful people live longer, take better care of themselves and endure hardship with greater ease compared to less grateful folks, according to numerous studies. Though I’m not aware of research supporting this, I also believe that grateful people pursue work and hobbies they love.
So…unless you write for fame and fortune alone ;), you are probably among the most grateful. If you have difficulty feeling grateful, or simply want an extra dose, watch this clip from “Little House on the Prairie.” I tear up every time!
For more simple ways to cultivate gratitude, visit my recent post, Grumpy to Gracious.
Here’s what some of our founding mothers and fathers of literature as well as modern day authors have to say about giving thanks:
“I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy.”
– Anne Frank
“Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.” – Ernest Hemingway
“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.” – Oscar Wilde
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” – Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)
“O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.”
– William Shakespeare
“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.”- Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Love your body the way it is and feel grateful towards it. Most importantly, in order to find real happiness, you must learn to love yourself for the totality of who you are and not just what you look like.” ― Portia de Rossi, Unbearable Lightness
“Appreciating the genius in others attracts high levels of competent energy to you. By seeing and celebrating the creative genius, you open a channel within yourself for receiving the creative energy from the field of intention.” – Wayne Dyer, The Power of Intention
“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
― Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer
May you have the BEST Thanksgiving – if you celebrate it, a mindful feast and a fabulous, gratitude-filled weekend!
What about you? What are you most looking forward to this weekend? What are you particularly grateful for? When you want to feel grateful but don’t, what do you do?
Girl Boner 
Emma Burcart
/ November 23, 2011I am grateful for deep fried turkey! And apple pie.
Julie
/ November 23, 2011I am grateful for the health of my family and friends, and the four dogs my mother-in-law is taking care of for the thanksgiving weekend – so adorable. 🙂
Tameri Etherton
/ November 23, 2011Powerful post, August! I’m grateful for the fabulous people like you that I’ve met through blogging.
Happy Thanksgiving!
coleen patrick
/ November 23, 2011I love LHOP 🙂 and I am just looking forward to being around family. Nice post August!!!
Wishing you the best!
Angela Orlowski-Peart
/ November 23, 2011Fabulous quotes, August. Thank you for sharing them!
I am grateful for so many things in my life — not only during Thanksgiving but rather every day. I feel blessed to be surrounded by fantastic people who make so much difference in my life 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ November 23, 2011Your comments make me feel like I’m having tea with close girlfriends. (Duh, I am… *sips tea* ;)) Thanks for your wonderfulness!
Joe Bunting
/ November 23, 2011Love this, August. What a great list of quotes.
I try to meditate on gratefulness for 20 min a day. Sometimes when I’m not feeling grateful, I walk around the trees in the town square for twenty minutes mumbling, “Thank you. Thank you,” under my breath. People must think I’m a crazy person. I’m thankful for those walks and for the trees and for doing nothing and not bothering.
August McLaughlin
/ November 23, 2011I love both of your gratitude practices, Joe. I’d rather seem crazy and feel grateful than appear sane but thankless… 😉 Making a mental note to try them out.
Also love this: “I’m thankful for those walks and for the trees and for doing nothing and not bothering.” Words worth keeping.
Karen McFarland
/ November 23, 2011You are such a talented writer August!
Thanks for the wonderful quotes.
Being grateful dispels fear and doubt. And wouldn’t it be awesome if we would all take the time to be grateful everyday and not just on one day? 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ November 24, 2011Indeed, daily gratitude doses could change the world… There must be a novel in that! 😉
You’re a gem, Karen. So grateful to call you ‘friend!’
hollyyoumans
/ November 23, 2011Great post August! I love all the quotes. I am greatful for my friends and family.
Sheila Seabrook
/ November 23, 2011I’m in Canada, August, so we celebrated our Thanksgiving in October. I love all the fantastic quotes you share here and just want to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ November 24, 2011Thanks so much, Sheila. I’d love to learn more about the Canadian rendition. I’ll be sure to return your well wishes next month. 🙂 Have a beautiful weekend! Thanks for your ongoing support.
Pat O'Dea Rosen
/ November 23, 2011“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Voltaire
That quote reminds me of We Are Not Alone. WANA is about appreciating each other’s writing voices and outlooks on life. By appreciating others, I’ve been enriched.
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for family, friends, and the gift of hearing. Thanks for this post, August.
Jessica Therrien
/ November 23, 2011Great post! I love that last quote 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Debra Kristi
/ November 24, 2011Wonderful quotes August! You put together a great post reminding us what is important to remember this holiday. And Little House… LOVED it! I think I’ve seen every episode. You can’t go wrong showing LHOP
writinglifeandeverythinginbetween
/ November 24, 2011I am thankful for my fiance, the opportunities in life i’ve been given, my family, my friends and my health. Wonderful words! 🙂
marklanden
/ November 24, 2011I’m at a point in my life where a very small percentage of the population– the world population — gets to be. Sometimes ungrateful feelings creep in because people, including myself, tend to qualify their gratefulness relative to their current situation; but I have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season!
Thanks for posting this August, have a great Thanksgiving.
Alicia Street
/ November 24, 2011Love these quotes! And Little House was my late mother’s favorite show — so thank you for the sweet reminder.
Louise Behiel
/ November 24, 2011what a wonderful collection of quotes on gratitude. thanks so much.
Donna Newton
/ November 26, 2011Absolutely brilliant list of quotes, August. And, I loved ‘Little House on the Prairie when I was a kid.
Jennette Marie Powell
/ November 26, 2011I loved “Little House” when I was a kid! I think the whole deal about gratitude is that it’s all about having a positive outlook, which definitely reduces stress and improves our health. I am thankful for my job, especially during a time when so many don’t have one. At the same time, I’m also thankful for a four-day weekend! Hope yours is a good one!
zencherry
/ November 27, 2011Well hey hey hey! Leave it to Little House to make me grateful for my cups and potatoes. 😉
Seriously though? What do I do? I laugh. I laugh and laugh and find something else funny or fun to do and then laugh some more. Joy is gratefulness’ appetizer after all. 😀
Always love your blog August.
The Hook
/ December 2, 2011Great shares, young woman!