“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.”

– Saint Ambrose of Milan

Gratitude is the echo that makes sure no good deed falls into a silent abyss.

With each ‘thank you’, you’re painting the world in warmer hues. It’s the fuel that feeds the engine of kindness, encouraging more generous acts, more selfless gestures, more goodwill to be spilled into the world.

Returning thanks is not just a duty, but an urgency. It’s the first debt to be paid, the loudest song to be sung, the brightest beacon in a world starved of warmth.

When gratitude is neglected, bonds erode, love languishes, and hearts harden. On the contrary—when it thrives—it forms a virtuous circle, a dance of joy that keeps on giving, from heart to heart, from soul to soul.

It is more than an act of good manners. It is a catalyst for human connection, a conduit for compassion. Let it not be the afterthought of your day, but the constant drumbeat of your interactions.

Respond to the call of duty. Return thanks.

Stephen Boudreau serves as VP of Brand and Community at Virtuous Software. For over two decades, he has helped nonprofits leverage the digital space to grow their impact. To that end, Stephen co-founded RaiseDonors, a platform that provides nonprofits with technology and experiences that remove barriers to successful online fundraising. He is an avid (but aging) soccer player, audiobook enthusiast, and the heavily-disputed UNO champion of his household.

Copyright ©2023 Stephen Boudreau.