Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder

Can gratitude heal our divides? Also, what I'm thankful for, and a thank you gift for each of you!

Gracious reader,

Happy American Thanksgiving! For those of you around the world and not celebrating thanksgiving today, I say that everyday is an opportunity for thanks.

G.K. Chesterton said that “Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

Gratitude is an antidote to self-love—the defining threat to human flourishing and community in all times and places.

The stoic philosopher Seneca believed that “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”

Why? Because the grateful man is one “who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has.”

In my book, The Soul of Civility, I argue that two fundamental aspects of our human nature are our love of others, and love of self.

These two loves are in tension.

We need others to become truly happy, and to lead meaningful lives, we’re driven meet our own needs before others, yet we

Civility, I argue, is the process of overcoming our selfish natures so that our social natures might thrive.

Gratitude can help us do that.

In helping us to focus on what we do have instead of focusing on what we don’t have, we shift ourselves into an attitude of abundance instead of scarcity. Small annoyances are relegated to their proper place in our minds and lives, because we know that they are outweighed by the many blessings we enjoy.

Gratitude can combat our inherent self-love, get our eyes off of ourselves, allow us to focus more on others, and help us lead better, fuller lives in relationship with others.

It can help us “un-self,” as Irish philosopher Iris Murdoch wrote, a secret to the life-well lived.

I wish you a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, love, and, as as Chesterton wrote, happiness doubled by wonder.

What I’m thankful for

• Two lovely reviews of The Soul of Civility out today.

  • One in The Washington Examiner about how ideas from my book can inform thanksgiving dinner conversations.

  • One for The Federalist Society called On Graciousness and Gratitude.

• The civic leaders from across the country who have written to me in recent saying, “I love your book! How can we bring its ideas to life and promote civility in my city?” It’s precisely for them that I wrote my book.

• The foundations and organizations from across the country who have reached out and said, “I love what you’re doing. How can we help?”

• The opportunity to speak to Members of Canadian Parliament yesterday on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, to discuss themes from The Soul of Civility and how incivility and polarization is destabilizing our democratic institutions, and is threatening our freeodm and flourishing.

Members of Canadian Parliament, from left to right: Damien Kurek (Alberta), Ted Falk (Manitoba), Arnold Viersen (Alberta), and Tako van Popta (British Colombia)

The chance to give my book, The Soul of Civility, to the new Canadian Speaker of the House, Greg Fergus.

Member of Parliament Damien Kurek (Alberta) gave The Soul of Civility to the new Canadian speaker of the House, Greg Fergus.

• The opportunity to visit over fifteen cities in the last six weeks to discuss how we might flourish amid deep difference, the central theme of my book.

• Each of you, for your friendship, encouragement, and for being part of this community of lifelong learners who are passionate about the way that beauty, goodness and truth can heal our divides.

  As a special thank you, enjoy this field guide to conversations with grace I made for you to help you navigate the sometimes fraught enterprise of living harmoniously with others. Claim this free gift here.

Thank you for being part of the Civic Renaissance community, and happy Thanksgiving!