Article November 21, 2011 Issue

My deeper look at gratitude

By Dulcinea Torres

Adapted from O Arauto da Ciência Cristã, the Portuguese edition of The Herald of Christian Science.

What is the meaning of gratitude? I started questioning myself about this subject.

Mary Baker Eddy tells us in Science and Health, “Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech” (p. 3).

I then thought—I feel grateful to God for all the good that is in my life and in the world at every moment of the day. But “more than a verbal expression of thanks” was hanging in my mind. Of course, I realized it means—what actions would show or express my gratitude? How about in the morning, when I wake up to give thanks for existing, for being alive, healthy, free, able to think and reason, to make decisions and to plan for the day? That’s a good start. Yes, that’s gratitude!