“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thanksgiving week, 2012 – Quotes about Gratitude:
Today’s quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is a good reminder that we should do more than just say “Thank you” once a year before we dive into a plate of turkey and stuffing. Instead, he says that we should “cultivate a habit of being grateful”. A habit of being grateful would imply that we should express gratitude on a regular basis (easier said than done, considering the hectic schedules of our daily lives!). This attitude of thankfulness should extend to all areas of our lives, leaving us grateful for everything from friends to family to jobs to possessions.
The week of Thanksgiving is as good a time as any to reflect on this quote and work towards a habit of gratitude. Start by setting aside time every day this week to say a brief “thank you” for something in your life. Some people keep running lists of things they are grateful for, either mental or written – that is a good exercise for all of us to do occasionally, and a perfect way to start forming our new thankful habit. Having a list makes it easy to stop and say “Thank you” for something!
Thanksgiving week 2012, Quotes about Gratitude:
- Monday: Emerson on Gratitude
- Tuesday: Schweitzer on Gratitude
- Wednesday: JFK on Gratitude
- Thanksgiving: Purkiser on Gratitude
- Friday: Epictetus on Gratitude
- Saturday: Maxwell on Gratitude
I have seen this quote attributed to Emerson in other places on the Internet and was wondering if you could help me find the source of it. This particular quote on cultivating gratitude is word for word the same statement made by Wallace D. Wattles in his book, The Science of Getting Rich, in the chapter titled “Gratitude.” I know Wattles studied Emerson’s works and, in fact, credits him as one of his influences in the preface. So, maybe Wattles used Emerson’s words exactly in this section without citation in the chapter, maybe supposing that credit given in the preface would suffice? Anyway, that’s why I’m wondering… where does the Emerson quote on this webpage come from – in what work does it appear? I’d love to track it to the source to know. Thanks!
Angela – Thank you for the comment! I have done some investigating and have not yet found the answer to your question. If I do, I will be sure to let you know!