Michael Perry calls himself ""an accidental New York Times bestselling author, corporate speaker, humorist, singer/songwriter, amateur snow plow driver, and playwright from New Auburn, Wisconsin."" Image via PBS Wisconsin

""...Gratitude. Such a lovely word. Humble and warm. Humble, because it’s not a word you use if you think you did everything yourself. Humble, because no matter how hard you did work at whatever it is you’re grateful for, you know—and more importantly, acknowledge—there was some luck involved. Warm, because gratitude is not compatible with a cold soul. Warm, because gratitude radiates, like the gentle rays of a heart-sized sun. Gratitude goes softly out and does good works—which generate more gratitude. Gratitude is renewable energy.

""Gratitude, because to offer anything less would be to ignore all privilege. The privilege of existence. The privilege of health. The privilege of privilege. And now we are back at humility—or ought to be.

""Gratitude, because the world is awash with the sour surf of opposing sentiments...."" - Michael Perry

Essay: The Gratitude Essay