It’s true. Gratitude attracts more to be grateful for. It’s also the shortcut to self-esteem, compassion, happiness and above all peace.

“There is a type of power that accompanies true gratitude that may not be understood when we are in the middle of a crisis. Listing your many blessings is a positive action at its finest, and could be the catalyst to attracting the solutions or the strength that you need.” -Unknown

This knowledge most likely inspired President Abraham Lincoln to proclaim a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens," during the most turbulent time in American history.  It was 1863, over two and a half years into the Civil War. Would our experiment of a free and democratic society survive? Our country was still in its fragile infancy and headed to a certain end.

However this absurd proclamation by the president seemed to have a profound effect on the collective consciousness of the country. Within seventeen months the war came to a close with the reunification of the states.

Years since it has been concluded by philosophers that what at the time seemed an absurd proclamation wasn’t absurd at all. It was a powerful demonstration of gratitude.

Economists have long confirmed that the rise and fall of the stock market follows the emotional climate of the nation. In short, prosperous living follows happy thanksgiving.

So there you have it. A brief history of when and why Thanksgiving became a national holiday as well as its significance when practiced as a way of life.

“Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life. Be grateful for what you already have and you will attract more good things.” -The Secret

Happy Thanksgiving.



–Darrell Fusaro

Decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.