Book Review: 365 Thank Yous

After hearing it mentioned in a segment on the CBS Evening News about writing thank you cards, I was compelled to pick up a copy of the memoir, 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life by John Kralik. After reaching a low point in his life, the author decides to focus on the positive: writing a thank you note every day for a year. Written as a series of anecdotes followed by corresponding thank you notes, the book is a quick, uplifting read. As you follow the changes that occur in the author’s life, you observe the power of gratitude in a way that is both remarkable and inspiring. Being a longtime fan of thank you notes, I can relate to the author’s experience with how expressing gratitude changes your mood. How can you be angry when you’re feeling grateful? I think this is a must-read for everyone. Imagine how much happier we would be if we took time to express our gratitude to everyone who touched our lives? And not just business associates, but old friends, doctors, store owners, even your favorite barista. Perhaps not all of us can achieve the author’s lofty goal of one thank you note a day—but how about one a week, one a month? Give it a try and see what happens.

Share your own comments about how writing thank you notes has changed your life.