Suarez-Orendain: Thanks a lot

Toda (Hebrew).

Spasibo (Russian).

Gracias (Spanish).

Arigato (Japanese).

Obrigado (Portugese).

Asante (Swahili).

Salamat (Filipino).

Thanks (English).

IN whatever language you say it, saying thanks is a response to a good thing. The Internet, the new world of information, is glutted with sources dwelling on thanks, thanksgiving and thankfulness.

The Scriptures have many inspiring verses about thanks.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving” — Psalm 69:30

From the world of Letters, here is one from G.K. Chesterton: “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

Music has contributed to thankfulness. Don Moen’s song “Give Thanks” highlights a difference between thankfulness and gratefulness.

Thankfulness is a first reaction to something positive or good or pleasant that comes your way. Gratitude is reflecting on that something good that happened to you. Greek philosopher Cicero said: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.”

It is then a lifetime practice. While thanks can be forced out of you, gratitude can not be demanded out of anyone. It is an attitude that is developed over the years. It is the deeper level of thankfulness which is a sense of relief that something has been met.

Maybe I will write more on gratitude someday, God-willing. But for now let me dwell on thankfulness.

National Thank You Day was created to remind people to keep in mind the good things that come their way. Sept. 15 is the day of celebration, the day to give thanks to anyone who has blessed in any form that made you whole, that restored you and gave you back your trust in people.