It is striking to me that so many saints within the Christian tradition emphasize gratitude and thanksgiving as an essential practice, a foundation for growing in goodness, even holiness.

Here is just a small sample of what they have said over the ages…

In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks. – St. Teresa of Avila.

Remember the past with gratitude.  Live the present with enthusiasm.  Look forward to the future with confidence. –St. John Paul II.

The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness. – St. Gianna Beretta Molla.

And you may not be accustomed to hearing praise for Opus Dei from a Jesuit, but I found this quote from the founder, Josemaria Escriva, quite radical, and when lived authentically, certainly a sign of inner freedom and holiness.

Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day. Because he gives you this and that. Because you have been despised. Because you haven’t what you need or because you have. Because he made his Mother so beautiful, his Mother who is also your Mother. Because he created the sun and the moon and this animal and that plant. Because he made that man eloquent and you left tongue-tied … Thank him for everything, because everything is good. –St. Josemaria Escriva.

We understand from contemporary sciences that the practice of gratitude supports mental health and wellbeing by relieving stress, anxiety and depression, enhancing the immune system, boosting mood, and fostering overall life satisfaction.  And in our relationships, the expression of gratitude, of offering our thanks deepens social bonds, increases trust and cooperation, and improves communications.

The opposite of gratitude is entitlement, a rather awful condition of privileged self-centerness, and indifference to others. I’m rather ashamed to admit that I’ve fallen into this trap at various times in my life, taking relationships for granted, and receiving gifts or other expressions of care without taking adequate steps to express my thanks. Regret doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling I have when I consider people to whom I owe such thanks, especially those who are no longer with us.

By contrast, when I have taken time to go out of my way, writing notes, making a call or even simple gestures to express my thanks to people, it is hard to convey just how satisfying it is. What is the word for such an overflow in our hearts when we feel the desire and the will to express thankfulness and it is received in an open and mutual way?

And since we’re focused on the relationship of the Gospel and leadership, what about the role of gratitude and the expression of thanks in the context of roles of authority? I learned a lesson while working for a boss who insisted that people do their jobs out of a sense of duty and professionalism, and that gestures of thanks (or monetary bonuses!) were unnecessary. Of course I wanted to work hard and do my best because of my own standards of quality and excellence, but I found working for this man demoralizing. By contrast, I’ve worked for bosses who seemed to notice the small things- not just what I’ve accomplished, but how, and commented in a way that made me feel appreciated, that my work mattered, but so did me as a person. I felt a relationship of mutual respect and wanted to go above and beyond for such bosses.

I know that I haven’t shared anything that you don’t already know, but if I’m not mistaken, the attitude of entitlement and indifference to people is on the rise in many of our societies around the world. Gratitude and expressions of thankfulness humanize us, enrich our relationships, and bring us closer to the Giver of all gifts, most of all, Himself. When those of us in positions of authority model this in a natural and spontaneous way, we help shift the cultures of our organizations in a healthier and holier direction.

Today, who comes to mind immediately as someone you appreciate and feel moved to thank with some meaningful gesture? Even with all the havoc and many challenges of life these days, how affirming of life it is to nonetheless say to God, “thank you,” it is enough, and your providence is enough.

With you on the road,