Take An Action To Express Gratitude
I remember my very first Thanksgiving in the United States. I had wrapped up my last day of work and rushed to the airport to greet my mother, who was arriving in New York for the first time. We woke up together the following morning and went on a walk in the city. Strolling around Manhattan on Thanksgiving is an almost spooky experience. It’s the only day when most stores are closed, offices shut down and the city feels almost empty, except for the crowds gathered to watch the big Macy’s parade.
Even knowing this beforehand, I’d never experienced the city this quiet. Most people had escaped the hustle and bustle to, together with friends and family, roast the turkey and indulge in an evening full of festivities, but also to pause and answer the question, What am I grateful for today?
While this question is genuine and makes perfect sense—given that this celebration is dedicated to the expression of gratitude for everything we have—over the years, I have found myself wanting to reframe it into something even more powerful: “What can I do today, and every day, to express gratitude?”
Gratitude is like love—it’s not enough to simply feel it or say it. You need to act on it. And not just on Thanksgiving or Christmas or whatever holidays that are important to you. It is through actions, big and small, those feelings inside of you come to life.
But, yes, today is indeed a perfect moment to pause and reflect: “What gesture can I make, what action can I take, to show someone that I am truly grateful for them?”
My mom and I ended up having a quiet dinner together, a perfect way to express our love and gratitude for one another, chatting about things big and small. We didn’t have any turkey or stuffing, but we had each other, and during that first Thanksgiving Day in the United States, that was more than enough for us.
Today, gathering with friends from across the country, kids running around while the parents desperately are trying to get the bird ready, I feel the same sense of gratitude. And I am continuing to do my best to have this feeling expressed every day throughout the year.
Remember, actions speak louder than words.
