Gratitude, Our Quiet Strength

 

A Celebration Beyond the Turkey

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is approaching. For many, it is a date marked by turkey, crowded tables, and football games. But for those of us who arrived from other countries, this celebration carries a deeper meaning: it is an invitation to pause and recognize that we do not walk alone.

Gratitude as a Way of Living

Gratitude is not just a polite gesture or a repeated word. It is a way of seeing life. It is recognized that every step we take is supported by others:

•           By those who welcomed us to a new country.

•           By those who offered us advice.

•           By those who invited us to their table.

•           By those who listened when we needed it most.

November Reflection

In the United States, during the month of November many send messages of thanks. But the question arises:

What are we grateful for? Why do we give thanks?

When a person expresses gratitude, they focus their attention on the aspects and people who were positive throughout the year. Gratitude helps us appreciate the benefit or help someone gave us and values the time and dedication it took to accompany us.

The Outcomes of Gratitude

Those who practice gratitude continuously:

•           Improve their work performance.

•           Develop a more optimistic outlook.

•           Strengthen their interpersonal relationships.

•           Show generosity, compassion, and openness to connect with others.

Grateful people walk with a different kind of light. They may not possess material wealth, but in every friendship, in every family embrace, in every day of work, they discover an invisible treasure. By valuing themselves, they build an inner home where hope dwells. That is true abundance: the spiritual wealth not stored in chests, but in the heart.

Today I Want to Give Thanks

•           To those who welcomed me as family, even though we do not share a last name.

•           To those who taught me that dignity is recognized in every person, regardless of language or history.

•           To those who accompany me on this journey, reminding me that life is celebrated in community.

Gratitude as Light, Gratitude as Home

    As evening falls, autumn leaves swirl like memories that never fade.

    A lit candle illuminates the table, reminding us that gratitude is also light in the darkness.

    The smell of mashed potatoes with gravy mingles with shared laughter, while the whisper of Thursday American football on the television becomes music of belonging.

    On this Thanksgiving Day, I celebrate not only a feast. I celebrate the fact that every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every open table, is a bridge that leads us to hope.

    Gratitude is not stored away; it is shared, multiplied, and becomes home.

    And in saying “thank you,” I discover that I am here, sustained by memory, by community, and by the promise that we never walk alone.

Closing Reflection

    For me, gratitude is not only about the table in front of us—it is about the journey that brought us here. From farewells in Guayaquil to new rituals in Chicago, every candle lit, every meal shared, every word of welcome has become part of a larger home.

    This Thanksgiving, I remember that belonging is not given once—it is created again and again, in every act of kindness. Gratitude is the ritual that turns migration into memory, and memory into hope.

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

 

 

References:

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (n.d.). The science of gratitude. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/listen-first/super-skills/gratitude.html

Sana Mente Mental Health Movement of California & Health Education Council. (n.d.). The importance of giving thanks. https://www.sanamente.org/alza-tu-voz/la-importancia-de-dar-gracias/

Palomo, S. (2022, May 8). Why is it important to be grateful and what are its benefits? Porque Quiero Estar Bien. https://porquequieroestarbien.com/bienestar-emocional/fortalecer-la-mente/por-que-es-importante-agradecer-y-cuales-son-sus-beneficios

Jefferson Center. (2025, July 29). Why practicing gratitude is important and the best ways to do it. https://www.jcmh.org/es/why-practicing-gratitude-is-important-and-the-best-ways-to-do-it/

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