Why You Should Write That Thank You Note

"Students of mine in a political philosophy course at Indiana University are reading Daniel Defoe's 300-year-old Robinson Crusoe, often regarded as the first novel published in English. Marooned alone on an unknown island with no apparent prospect of rescue or escape, Crusoe has much to lament. 

But instead of giving in to despair, he makes a list of things for which he is grateful, including the fact that he is the shipwreck's sole survivor and has been able to salvage many useful items from the wreckage. Defoe's masterpiece, which is often ranked as one of the worlds greatest novels, provides a portrait of gratitude in action that is as timely and relevant today as it has ever been."

Richard Gunderman shares more on the benefits of an attitude of gratitude.