Having gratitude, appreciation and being thankful EVERYDAY, not just on Thanksgiving
- Amy Coleman
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
What If We Treated Every Day Like Thanksgiving?
Imagine waking up every morning with the same spirit of gratitude we feel on Thanksgiving. A full day of appreciation, mindfulness, and thankfulness—every single day. Thanksgiving is a holiday dedicated to these emotions, but shouldn’t gratitude be a daily practice, not just a once-a-year event?
What Is Thanksgiving, Anyway?
thanks·giv·ing (noun)
The act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors.
An expression of thanks.
A public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.
A day set apart for giving thanks.
For many, Thanksgiving means indulging in a feast, gathering with loved ones, watching football, and enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But do we take the time to reflect on the true meaning of Thanksgiving—giving thanks and recognizing the blessings in our lives?
The True Meaning of Gratitude
The part of the Thanksgiving definition that stands out the most is: “a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.” But do we actually acknowledge, show, and share our gratitude often enough?
This morning, I started my day by expressing gratitude for my friends and family. But instead of just thinking about it, I took action—I told them. I sent heartfelt messages, thanking them for being part of my life and reminding them how much they mean to me. As I crafted each message, I felt overwhelmed with emotions.
And here’s the thing—I wasn’t always this way.
For years, I suppressed emotions because I thought feelings were unnecessary. Then, a life-changing event shifted my entire perspective. A serious health scare forced me to confront my own mortality, and suddenly, gratitude became more than just a passing thought—it became a way of life.
That experience reshaped my entire outlook. I was grateful to be alive. I was thankful for the people who supported me. And I deeply appreciated the small moments I had previously taken for granted. But it made me wonder—why does it take a life-altering event to realize the importance of expressing gratitude daily?
Why Don’t We Say It More Often?
Why do we hesitate to tell people how much we appreciate them? We quickly voice frustrations—like complaining about socks left on the floor—but how often do we openly express gratitude? What if we made it a daily habit to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us?
A Simple Challenge: Make Gratitude a Daily Habit
Starting today, set a personal goal to express appreciation every day. Choose someone—a friend, partner, child, family member, or colleague—and acknowledge something they’ve done. Tell them, out loud, how much you appreciate them.
Thank your partner for making your morning coffee.
Tell your kids how proud you are of their hard work.
Let a friend know how much their support means to you.
Show appreciation to a coworker for their efforts.
Try it, and see how it changes not only your mindset but also the way others feel.
A simple “thank you” can go a long way in brightening someone’s day.
Life Is Short—Live with Gratitude
We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we do know that today is an opportunity to express love, gratitude, and appreciation. Living with gratitude creates a positive ripple effect in our relationships and overall happiness.
So, on this Thanksgiving Day—and every day—take a moment to be thankful. Appreciate the people around you. Say it, show it, and live it. You’ll be grateful you did!
Looking for more ways to practice daily gratitude? Check out these helpful resources:
Let’s make gratitude a daily habit, not just a holiday tradition!
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