The Gift Of Thanks

“A scholarly, many-angled examination of what gratitude is and how it functions in our lives” from the bestselling author of The Rituals of Dinner (The New York Times). Known as an “anthropologist of everyday life,” Margaret Visser has won numerous awards for illuminating the unexpected meanings of everyday objects and rituals. Now she turns her keen eye to another custom so ubiquitous that it often escapes notice: saying “Thank you.” What do we really mean by these two simple words? This fascinating inquiry into all aspects of gratitude explores such topics as the unyielding determination of parents to teach their children to thank; the difference between speaking the words and feeling them; and the ways different cultures handle the complex matters of giving, receiving, and returning favors and presents. Visser elucidates the fundamental opposition in our own culture between gift-giving and commodity exchange, as well as the similarities between gratitude and its opposite, vengefulness. The Gift of Thanks considers cultural history, including the modern battle of social scientists to pin down the notion of thankfulness and account for it, and the newly awakened scientific interest in the biological and evolutionary roots of emotions. With characteristic wit and erudition, Visser once again reveals the extraordinary in the everyday. “An anthropological and philosophical account of how and why we give thanks. . . . All delivered in elegant, clear prose. A book to be thankful for—sympathetic to human foible, deeply learned and a pleasure to read.” —Kirkus Reviews “A delightful and graceful gift of a book, for which any fortunate recipient will be thankful.” —Publishers Weekly

A scientifically groundbreaking, eloquent look at how we benefit -- psychologically, physically, and interpersonally -- when we practice gratitude. In Thanks!, Robert Emmons draws on the first major study of the subject of gratitude, of “wanting what we have,” and shows that a systematic cultivation of this underexamined emotion can measurably change people’s lives."--

In The Gift of Thanks, Margaret visser continues her exploration of the cultural implications of common objects and ordinary behaviour. The simple habit of saying “thank you,” and indeed the entire notion of gratitude itself, becomes a key to understanding many of the basic assumptions, preferences and needs underlying Western culture. Taking into consideration cultural history; questions of politics and rights; questions of ideas of freedom and equality; and questions of the newly awakened scientific interest in the emotions, visser specifically addresses the questions: What does “gratitude” actually mean? Where did the notion come from (many languages have no specific word for it)? What is its history? And why is our society so invested in its operations? Like all of Visser’s celebrated work, The Gift of Thanks is a fascinating look at our everyday behaviour—from to tipping a waiter after a meal to wrapping a present for a friend.

Discover the Positive Power of Gratitude Living as if each day is a thank you can help transform fear into courage, anger into forgiveness, and isolation into belonging. Authors Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons present a simple yet comprehensive approach for incorporating gratitude into one's life and reaping its many benefits. The book is divided into ten chapters, including ''Ways to Stay Thankful in Difficult Times,''.....''Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice,'' and ''Putting Gratitude into Action.'' Each chapter includes stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by thankfulness, motivational quotes and blessings, and suggested gratitude practices. Whatever is given - even a challenging moment - is a gift. With this book, you will be able to feel more connected to the flow of life and less alone in your struggles and fears.

A Native American Thanksgiving address, offered to Mother Earth in gratitude for her bounty and for the variety of her creatures

More than 1.5 million copies sold! What if you discovered that the life you already have is the life you’ve always wanted? What if joy is possible right where you are? New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative journey of chronicling God's gifts. How can you find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and even the death of loved ones? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long, and sometimes even dark? How is God even here? “It is in the dark that God is passing by . . . our lives shake not because God has abandoned but the exact opposite. God is passing by. God is in the tremors. Dark is the holiest ground, the glory passing by. In the blackest, God is closest, at work, forging His perfect and right will. Though it is black and we can’t see and our world seems to be free-falling and we feel utterly alone, Christ is most present to us...” In One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp invites you to discover a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of living that is fully alive, and a way of becoming present to God that brings deep and lasting joy. It's only in the expression of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted . . . a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. Come to feel and know the impossible right down in your bones: you are wildly loved by God. As Ann invites you into her own beautiful, heart-aching moments of amazing grace, she gently teaches you how to: Biblically lament loss and turn pain into poetry Intentionally embrace a lifestyle of radical gratitude Slow down and catch God in the moment Not a book merely to read, One Thousand Gifts is an invitation to engage with truths that will serve up the depths of God’s joy and transform your life forever. Leave pride, fear, and control behind, and abandon yourself to the God who overflows your cup.

Loving a prodigal is a long and desperate journey, filled with fear, worry, anger, self- recrimination. You wait for the phone call--will it be from jail or the hospital? You plead with your loved one. You search for help. You feel the shame. You cry out to God, "How long, Lord?" Author Judy Douglass knows these lovers of prodigals well. She is one herself and has created a large and growing community with others. When You Love a Prodigal is a collection of 90 essays--90 days of perspective on what God offers to you as you love your prodigal. At the end of each brief essay, response questions will help you process how God intends to use the wilderness journey to mold your spiritual life. You can work through it day by day, or you can read it straight through. Judy has traveled this road with her own prodigal--reading, learning, praying, and seeking God. Over and over he continued to give her wisdom, he sustained her, he covered her with grace, and he filled her with hope. May you, too, be strengthened and filled with hope as together you discover how God will take you through your own valley.

Every morning, the breath in our lungs and the beating of our hearts are evidence of the glorious God whose daily mission is to cherish us. Often, we take this gift for granted, but a gentle reminder of His grace and mercy is all we need to live our lives with hearts full of thanks! Margaret Bernard's The Gift of Thanks refreshes the soul with daily proclamations that revive the thanksgiving stored up in our hearts that belongs to our Lord and Savior. With these simple yet powerful daily biblical affirmations, you will: -Meditate on the goodness of God with brief prompts to take with you throughout your day. -Build a stronger, gratitude-based relationship with God. -Experience the transformative effects of living with a grateful heart. -Cultivate a habit of recognizing and appreciating the Lord's endless blessings. -And so much more! God doesn't ask for much, but He is intent on giving much. Give Him five minutes and watch what He will do!

"Version 2.0 with a new afterword"--Cover.

Celebrate gratitude and simple ways of brightening others' days with this sweet, brightly illustrated story about a girl's letters. . . . and her town's overwhelming response. After a wonderful party, birthday girl Grace sits down to thank her friends and family for all their kind gifts. But she doesn't stop there-- as she writes, Grace realizes there are so many things to be grateful for! So she thanks her teacher for helping her learn to write. She thanks her dog for his cheerful wagging tail. She even thanks the sky for being perfectly, beautifully blue. The Thank You Letter is perfect for starting conversations about gratitutde-- both for tangible gifts and for the little things we don't always stop to appreciate. The sweet story encourages young readers to focus on positivity and share it-- to write letters of their own to family, friends, and loved ones and share their joys. For everyone who wants to encourage children to write thank you notes for gifts, and for everyone searching for new ways to connect with distant loved ones, The Thank You Letter is a perfect model for expressing gratitude-- and showcases the joyful response a simple gesture can create. When Grace returns home after delivering her notes, she finds a wealth of affection--cards, letters, and notes from her neighbors and friends, expressing their love for Grace and appreciation for her letters. A beautifully illustrated gatefold page shows how deeply her letters have touched the hearts of everyone around them, and Beloved storyteller and illustrator Jane Cabrera's vivid and textured acrylic paintings are filled with joyful cuteness and warmth. Collage elements, including patterns from the inside of envelopes, smartly add to the epistolary theme. This delightful celebration of mindful thankfulness and community togetherness is perfect for curling up in a cozy spot and sharing one-on-one.