I learned today that the word thank is derived from the word think. Its original meaning, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was roughly “to think good thoughts.”

I find it interesting that thinking and thanking are linked etymologically. It’s true, isn’t it, that you can’t be thankful without thinking? Thankfulness isn’t a reflex. It springs from a conscious, intentional action. It’s when I stop and think about the wonder and joy of the life I’ve been given — in all its concrete, specific manifestations — that I become thankful.

When I don’t stop to think, when I whiz through life without taking time to reflect, I tend to take my many blessings for granted. And that’s why I’m so, well, thankful for Thanksgiving. One of the best things about our culture is that we Americans take an entire day to remind ourselves of how good we have it.

I made this linguistic discovery late today, too late to get this posted in time for most of you to read it on the holiday, but I sincerely hope that you had the opportunity to think and be thankful.

By the way, if you’d like to read an even better post on Thanksgiving, check out the one my daughter wrote today.

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