As children, we were told to say “thank you” when someone did something nice for us. Gratitude is more life-encompassing than a simple thank you. If we make it a life orientation, it changes everything. Extensive research demonstrates its benefits not only for individuals but also for the communities in which they live.

Within religious traditions, we have always known the importance of gratitude as a practice and a virtue. Brother David Steindl-Rast wrote, “If the only prayer we ever say is thank you, we have the most powerful prayer of all.” Dr. Robert Emmons has engaged in long-term research and published numerous books on gratitude and its capacity for healing individuals and relationships.

Noticing others and expressing appreciation for their talents or presence improves relationships. It fosters social bonds and gives us a better understanding of each other. Truly seeing and appreciating the gifts of people with whom we disagree changes the tenor of our interactions. It could be an important element in overcoming the polarization in our personal relationships, in our churches, and in our world.

Gratitude has a major impact on our mental health. It produces the hormones dopamine and serotonin that enable us to think more positively and if practiced regularly gratitude strengthens these neural pathways. Gratitude helps us to discover the hidden blessings in challenging and even painful circumstances. It reduces aggression, frustration, and useless rehearsal of past hurt. It supports the ability to face and walk through challenges and to mourn loss. More recently we know that gratitude as a regular practice enables recovery from trauma.

On the physical level, science shows that gratitude practice fosters better sleep, reduces pain, lowers inflammation, and even lowers blood pressure. Those who practice gratitude demonstrate an improved ability to stick to a healthier lifestyle and exercise routine. Gratitude also facilitates healing after serious illness or surgery. A 2019 study of breast cancer survivors showed that gratitude improved cognitive reasoning, self-esteem, and feelings of optimism.

Given the impact of gratitude as a life orientation, it would seem to be one of the most important practices we can do for ourselves and for healing our polarized communities.