Abdu'l-Baha understood the importance of gratitude. I have selected some of his thoughts on thanks to post on my blog for this Thanksgiving Day.
Thankfulness is of various kinds.
There is a verbal thanksgiving which is confined to a mere utterance of gratitude.
This is of no importance because perchance the tongue may give thanks while the heart is unaware of it.
But real thankfulness is a cordial giving of thanks from the heart.
When man in response to the favors of God manifests susceptibilities of conscience, the heart is happy, the spirit is exhilarated.
These spiritual susceptibilities are ideal thanksgiving.
There is a cordial thanksgiving, too, which expresses itself in the deeds and actions of man when his heart is filled with gratitude.
For example, God has conferred upon man the gift of guidance, and in thankfulness for this great gift certain deeds must emanate from him.
To express his gratitude for the favors of God man must show forth praiseworthy actions.
Whatsoever he wishes to do must be in harmony with the good pleasure of God.
He must observe and see what is the will of God and act accordingly.
There can be no doubt that such commendable deeds are thankfulness for the favors of God.
(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 236)
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