Giving is the New Thanks

I saw that written somewhere recently. Probably on Pinterest. But I've been thinking about it a lot lately.

Giving is the New Thanks.

"Say thank you to grandma for your new toy."

"What do you say when someone gives you a sticker, Tommy?"

"What are you thankful for, Lanie?"

It's great to count our blessings, and tell people we are grateful for who they are and what they do. Sure, it's great.

I am not suggesting we get rid of words of gratitude. Never.

But...

What if we DID put more emphasis into SHOWING gratitude and GIVING because we have been given much?

What if in addition to sitting around a table and telling people what we are thankful for, we also find something to DO? Someone to GIVE to and serve?

What if we shook someone's hand and gave them a hug (if they like hugs) in addition to saying "thanks"? Oh wait, I have a revolutionary idea: what if we WROTE IN A PHYSICAL CARD our gratitude and mailed it to someone?

I'm changing our plans for Thanksgiving (again) and finding ways to GIVE to show our THANKS. Things small and things bigger. It's not enough to just say that we are grateful.

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