For my American friends on Thanksgiving today (and indeed for others), here are two very different reflections on gratitude.

The first is a meditation by Max Lucado, in which he reflects on the power of expressing gratitude to God for the simple, everyday things in leading us through difficulties. Read it here.

The second comes from a tradition very different from my own. Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast claims there is a lot of common ground between Christianity and Buddhism – a view of which I am sceptical.

But gratitude is a big theme of his. He is a co-founder of ANG*L (A Network for Grateful Living) and here is his TED Talk on how gratitude leads to happiness. See what you think.

Whatever you think, may you give thanks to the One who is worthy of all thanksgiving.