THE FOUNDATION
"The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations." --George Washington
INSIGHT
"To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude." --Albert Schweitzer
ICTUS IMPRIMIS
"Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favours. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God." --Thomas a Kempis
LIBERTY
"Americans, more than any other people in the world, have much to be thankful for, not only this year but also every year. Despite our many flaws, faults and problems we are the free-est people on earth. Be thankful for that. Be thankful, too that there are those who daily wage the fight on behalf of liberty. Be thankful also that we are the richest and strongest nation on earth; we cannot be bullied, threatened or intimidated. Be thankful, too, that there are those who never cease fighting to keep us strong and prosperous and free. Be thankful for the Founding Fathers who gave us a Constitution that is the means by which we keep our freedom and build our prosperity. Be thankful this year for a president who has confounded his critics and his nation's enemies by rising to the challenges that threaten our freedom and our prosperity. Be thankful, not in the abstract, but very specifically to God, our Father, who oversaw the creation of this nation and who has been there guiding and guarding through the more than 200 years of its existence. Ronald Reagan believed that God set this nation here between two oceans to be a beacon of freedom for the rest of the world. Be thankful that this is so and be extra thankful that God in His goodness put you here to enjoy all that this country has to offer. Look around the world: You will see that God has made you one of a special and privileged minority. Be thankful." --Lyn Nofziger
Thanks for posting this, Dutchgirl! Definitely some profound truths here.