"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." - Gilbert K. Chesterton

What is an Act of Gratitude?

Most opposite acts of gratitude are free. Prayers, thoughts or actions that acknowledge the good things of life and expressions of thanks to others can be acts of gratitude. They can be simple “Thank You” s to God or others, or they can be as large as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, founded by comedian Danny Thomas in gratitude to God for an answered prayer. Acts of Gratitude develop by making a special effort to notice the relationships, people, opportunities and situations that we take for granted. Like the objects in the room exercise above, the wonderful people who compose the fabric of our daily lives can become so familiar and fulfilling that we tend to ignore them. Too often, we appreciate others only when they have gone. Gratitude is never wasted. According to seniors, failing to express appreciation to someone you love or respect, or to say “important words”, is one of life’s biggest regrets.

Important words, especially words of gratitude, are the true things that need to be said to or on behalf of those we care about, in order to foster growth and improve relationships. Important words can be a part of any of the Opposite Acts, but they deserve a special mention because so many Appalachian elders had positive feelings or regrets at the end of life about their relationships and things they had said or failed to communicate to the people they loved or respected.

Important words also foster growth in others and are crucial for the healthy development of children. This includes letting children know they are loved, encouraging them while avoiding ridicule, and redirecting negative behavior in helpful and non-abusive ways. It also includes providing honest information about addictions and other harmful behaviors and sharing feelings about how negative behaviors impact our lives. Failure to say important words can delay recovery from addictions, cause harm to relationships and make growth difficult for those around us. And as time passes, such failures are regretted.