Showing Gratitude: 5 Ways to Say Thank You

Gratitude is so important. And this time of year, it’s top-of-mind for us in the United States as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It’s no coincidence that November is also National Gratitude Month.

Earlier this year, I began writing daily in a gratitude journal to express thanks for the many blessings in my life. It’s my commitment as part of USANA’s #StartSomething! campaign. The global campaign encourages each of us to start something that can create change in ourselves and inspire others. Here’s more on my commitment:

National Gratitude Month

In celebration of National Gratitude Month, I’d like to share five rare ways to say thank you. Expressing thanks demonstrates how much you appreciate others. Plus, saying thank you could also help to lower your stress.

We all have so much to be thankful for, and in this month of gratitude, we can especially show appreciation to those around us in thoughtful ways.

Here are some ideas to show gratitude that might even go above and beyond a simple thank you:

• Making a phone call
• Writing a handwritten note
• Offering an in-person expression of gratitude
• Stating gratitude of another to them in front of others
• Saying thank you by taking a friend out to lunch or dinner

In my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I share many lessons of the power of gratitude with others.

One time, I traveled to a faraway country for business. It was close to Christmas, and I had already been traveling for three straight weeks. I didn’t want to go anywhere so close to Christmas. I didn’t want to fly halfway around the globe for what I expected to be a two-hour meeting.

Couldn’t I solve the problem from my office in a virtual meeting?

I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put technology away and do things in person. That was one of those times.

It would have been easy to talk myself out of that trip, but I paid attention to the distress signals and knew I must make the visit. My efforts to be there in person did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Benefits of Giving Thanks

I’ve written before about the impact an interaction with Beatles drummer Ringo Starr had on me. Ringo chooses to treat people with respect and warmth. He chooses to be the kind of person he wants to be.

As one’s level of thankfulness grows, I’ve seen three key benefits emerge: Levels of stress drop, energy levels increase, and people discover the life they truly want.

Research about gratitude indicates that those who have gratitude in their hearts are more likely to achieve their goals. As your gratefulness grows, your dream life is built. That’s the mark of living a life in harmony. It elevates you to allow your best self to come forward for you and for all those around you.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Nov. 1, 2022, in honor of National Gratitude Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.