--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Gratefulness is not just saying \"thank…" description: "\"Gratefulness is not just saying \"thank you.\" It's acting. It is being yourself. A mother is grateful, shows gratefulness by mothering, a scientist by d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-steindl-rast-9835_acting_gratefulness-is-not-just-saying-thank-yo_1994867.png" --- # Gratefulness is not just saying "thank you." It's acting… ![“Gratefulness is not just saying "thank you." It's acting. It is being yourself. A mother is grateful, shows gratefulness by mothering, a scientist by doing science.” quote by David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-steindl-rast-9835_acting_gratefulness-is-not-just-saying-thank-yo_1994867.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-steindl-rast-9835_acting_gratefulness-is-not-just-saying-thank-yo_1994867.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-steindl-rast-9835_acting_gratefulness-is-not-just-saying-thank-yo_1994867.png) > “Gratefulness is not just saying "thank you." It's acting. It is being yourself. A mother is grateful, shows gratefulness by mothering, a scientist by doing science.” [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Gratitude is expressed through actions that embody thankfulness, not just words. **In simple terms:** Thankfulness is doing, not saying. Key Takeaway Show gratitude by acting kindly. Themes gratitude action authenticity Mood thoughtful encouraging Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - parenting - scientific research - community service Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn thanks into tangible deeds? - What actions best reflect your gratitude? A Different Perspective Action alone may not convey gratitude without sincerity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Being yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-yourself/) [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Gratefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratefulness/) [Gratefulness Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratefulness-just-3478375/) [Gratefulness Mothering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratefulness-mothering-3478373/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Just saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-saying/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Mother Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-grateful-3478374/) [Mothering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mothering/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Saying thank you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying-thank-you/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Shows Gratefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows-gratefulness-2931492/) ## Related quotes > [Look closely and you will find that people are happy because they are grateful. The opposite of gratefulness is just taking everything for granted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/look-closely-and-you-will-find-that-people-are-happy-because-they-are/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [...I do not tell you often enough, dear Mother, how very grateful I am that I am yours. It is a rare parent who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/i-do-not-tell-you-often-enough-dear-mother-how-very-grateful-i-am/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [Happy is the person who doesnt show hatred over what is lost, but shows gratefulness over what is left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happy-is-the-person-who-doesnt-show-hatred-over-what-is-lost-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Mothering or nurturing is not just a calling for women who have biological or adopted children. Mothering is a calling for all women. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-furman/mothering-or-nurturing-is-not-just-a-calling-for-women-who-have/) [Gloria Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-furman/) > [As motherhood as a "private enterprise" declines and more mothers rely on the work of lower-paid specialists, the value accorded the work of mothering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/as-motherhood-as-a-private-enterprise-declines-and-more-mothers-rely/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [“Mother is water.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/mother-is-water/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [My mother wanted me to be her wings, to fly as she never quite had the courage to do. I love her for that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/my-mother-wanted-me-to-be-her-wings-to-fly-as-she-never-quite-had-the/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [“one of the chief aspects of mothering is prayer,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/one-of-the-chief-aspects-of-mothering-is-prayer/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [Of course, a woman's choice to go out into the world is a very significant thing. But part of real liberation is recognizing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/of-course-a-woman-s-choice-to-go-out-into-the-world-is-a-very/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“Nancy, you know I’m not really good at this mothering business,” she says. “You’re a lovely child, the fault is not with you. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-friday/nancy-you-know-i-m-not-really-good-at-this-mothering-business-she/) [Nancy Friday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-friday/) > [Mothering/nurturing is a vital force and process establishing relationships throughout the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernice-johnson-reagon/mothering-nurturing-is-a-vital-force-and-process-establishing/) [Bernice Johnson Reagon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernice-johnson-reagon/) > [ My mom is my hero. \[She\] inspired me to dream when I was a kid, so anytime anyone inspires you to dream, that's gotta… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-mcgraw/my-mom-is-my-hero-she-inspired-me-to-dream-when-i-was-a-kid-so/) [Tim McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-mcgraw/) > [“She caught herself working so hard at mothering that she forgot to enjoy her children. -from ~Homecoming Season~”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wiggs/she-caught-herself-working-so-hard-at-mothering-that-she-forgot-to/) [Susan Wiggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wiggs/) > [“KINGDOM OF THE WOMB From her thighs, she gives you life And how you treat she who gives you life Shows how much you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/kingdom-of-the-womb-from-her-thighs-she-gives-you-life-and-how-you/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [I have a lot of empathy, and I think that's where mothering starts. You are there to empathise and facilitate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viv-albertine/i-have-a-lot-of-empathy-and-i-think-that-s-where-mothering-starts-you/) [Viv Albertine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viv-albertine/) ## More by David Steindl-Rast > [Home and journey together constitute the creative polarity of the heart, the two dimensions we must cultivate if we want to 'develop the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/home-and-journey-together-constitute-the-creative-polarity-of-the/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Only gratefulness, in the form of limitless openness for surprise, lays hold of the fullness of life in hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/only-gratefulness-in-the-form-of-limitless-openness-for-surprise-lays/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [As I express my gratitude, I become more deeply aware of it. And the greater my awareness, the greater my need to express it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/as-i-express-my-gratitude-i-become-more-deeply-aware-of-it-and-the/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Gratefulness makes us aware of the gift and makes us happy. As long as we take things for granted they don't make us happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/gratefulness-makes-us-aware-of-the-gift-and-makes-us-happy-as-long-as/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Any change in attitude changes the way one sees the world, and this in turn changes the way one acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/any-change-in-attitude-changes-the-way-one-sees-the-world-and-this-in/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [If you learn to respond as if it’s the first day in your life and the very last day, then you will have spent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/if-you-learn-to-respond-as-if-it-s-the-first-day-in-your-life-and-the/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [We have thousands of opportunities every day to be grateful: for having good weather, to have slept well last night, to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/we-have-thousands-of-opportunities-every-day-to-be-grateful-for/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [The universe is gratis. It cannot be earned, nor need it be earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/the-universe-is-gratis-it-cannot-be-earned-nor-need-it-be-earned/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [...our happiness hinges not on good luck; it hinges on peace of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/our-happiness-hinges-not-on-good-luck-it-hinges-on-peace-of-heart/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [From experience we know that whenever we are truly awake and alive, we are also truly grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/from-experience-we-know-that-whenever-we-are-truly-awake-and-alive-we/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Blessing is the lifeblood throbbing through the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/blessing-is-the-lifeblood-throbbing-through-the-universe/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Beauty seen makes the one who sees it more beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/beauty-seen-makes-the-one-who-sees-it-more-beautiful/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Each one of us is called to become that great song that comes out of the silence, and the more we let ourselves down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/each-one-of-us-is-called-to-become-that-great-song-that-comes-out-of/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [In moments of surprise we catch at least a glimpse of the joy to which gratefulness opens the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/in-moments-of-surprise-we-catch-at-least-a-glimpse-of-the-joy-to/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [...One can learn to focus on 'opportunity' as the gift within every given moment. This attitude towards life always improves the situation. Even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/one-can-learn-to-focus-on-opportunity-as-the-gift-within-every-given/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) [Explore all 70 David Steindl-Rast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. 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