Would it be awful for me to suggest that Thanksgiving is about more than turkey and mashed potatoes? Or Christmas shopping? On this Wondrous Words Wednesday, which also happens to be Thanksgiving Eve, a few thoughts on the importance of gratitude.
In his TED Talk, Benedictine Monk David Steindl-Rast suggests that grateful people are happy people. He says we can’t be grateful about everything (especially not things like violence, oppression, and poverty) but we can choose gratitude in every moment. According to Steindl-Rast, if we seize life’s opportunities for thankfulness, we will find contentment.
His words echo the message of Ann VosKamp’s inspirational book One Thousand Gifts. VosKamp implores her readers to practice eucharisteo, or thanksgiving.
A quick look at word etymology proves that there’s more than just a philosophical link between gratitude and happiness.
- gratitude: noun, from Medieval Latin gratitudo, from Latin gratus grateful; that state of being grateful; thankfulness.
- Eucharist: noun from Greek eucharistos grateful, from eu + charizesthai to show favor, from charis favor, grace; akin to Greek chairein to rejoice.
Did you follow the links from gratitude to grateful to eucharist to rejoice?
Can you make those connections in your own life, follow the path from gratitude to joy in the opportunities that come your way amidst the shopping and baking and packing and traveling this week?
I encourage you to try. I know I will.
Word Nerd Workout
What do you think of the statement:
Grateful people are happy people.
Can happiness really be that easy?
Share your thoughts in the comments, and Happy Thanksgiving. Don’t forget to check out the Wondrous Words at Kathy’s blog.
So profound. I’ve been trying to implement the “let’s think about three things we’re grateful for today” activity with my family. It’s so important to be grateful and rejoice in every day!
What a lovely post! I do think we can choose to be grateful which can certainly lead to happiness.
At this very moment I am grateful for this post. I was unfamiliar with David Steinl Rast but that was a very moving talk. It led me to explore the summary of some of his books which are now in my Amazon Wish List and my library request list.
I’m grateful for the etymology of those words. As a Christian I personally see the links between Eucharist, gratitude and rejoicing. I’m also grateful for Lisa’s comments about the power of gratitude.
Have a wonderful, grateful, joyful day tomorrow.
I completely agree. I also think that some people seem to be more naturally prone to gratitude, while others wrestle with it (just read there is a genetic component to this) but regardless, if gratitude equals happiness then it’s a pretty simple fix to all that ails us. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, Julia!
I think once upon a time I might have scoffed at this statement, but now? I’m a believer. Many months ago, now, I started linking up with a blog hop that asks us to list ten things each week that we are thankful for in our lives. It saved my life. By finding the moments of beauty in the midst of the no-so-beautiful stuff of life, it has completely changed my perspective, along with my health, my overall well-being, and so much more. By focusing on gratitude and being glad for what we have, we see that life is not hopeless.
And on the word nerd side, if you look at the etymology of the words you have here, it makes absolutely logical sense. But more than that, by putting the practice of gratitude in the forefront of our lives, we absolutely can move from there to joy.
Love this post – so timely! This would be a perfect addition to the #1000Speak linkup this month – our topic is Gratitude!