Expressed gratitude encourages further giving; ingratitude drains vitality out of the spirit of generosity.

Gratitude is not a payment for a kindness but another form of gift.

Gratefulness is a payment everyone can afford.

Discipline yourself to start each day identifying something to be grateful about. The world opens to those who approach it with a grateful heart.

Our obligation to others and a gift to ourselves is to acknowledge and authentically express genuine appreciation for courtesies, caring and concern others have given us.

When was the last time you wrote a thank you note? When was the last time you went beyond a mechanical "thank you" to express authentic gratitude? We can enrich the lives of others and ourselves by making it a habit to express genuine appreciation for what others have done for us.

The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.

Authentic gratitude is much more rare and precious than expressions of gratitude which are often empty courtesies or simply tactical ploys to encourage further gifts or kindnesses.

It is easier to be grateful for the things we have than to the people who have helped us get them.