11 Gratitude Quotes to Share at the Thanksgiving Table

by Sarah Yang
11 Gratitude Quotes to Make You Feel Present

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Mental Art + Design/Stocksy

It's easy to get caught up in the chaos of a Thanksgiving gathering. From preparing to host a big crowd to potential kitchen disasters to dealing with some awkward encounters with family members, the list goes on and on. When you get distracted by all of these things, you can forget that the holiday is really about taking a step back and just being grateful.

To help you stay mindful and present this Thanksgiving (and get those around you to as well), we've rounded up some of our favorite quotes and words of wisdom on gratitude.

Prepping Dinner

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BonninStudio/Stocksy

"When you think you don't have anything, I always say go back to your breath. What I know is that if you just start with your breath and start being grateful for that, it's thinking about what you have versus what you don't have. And focusing on the one thing you have that you are grateful for increases the energy of gratitude and rises just a little bit the joy inside yourself." — Oprah Winfrey

"Gratitude is the closest thing to beauty manifested in an emotion." — Mindy Kaling

Thanksgiving Table

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Sean Locke/Stocksy

"I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude." — Brené Brown

"At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough." — Toni Morrison

Setting Table

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Jen Grantham/Stocksy

"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices."— Elizabeth Gilbert

"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good." — Maya Angelou

Women on Road Trip

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Plume Creative/Getty Images

"'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding." — Alice Walker

"Gratitude is looking on the brighter side of life, even if it means hurting your eyes." — Ellen DeGeneres

"Release the energy of more, more, more and replace it with the energy of thank you, thank you, thank you." — Cleo Wade

Taking Photos

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d3sign/Getty Images

"I thank the universe for taking everything it has taken and giving to me everything it is giving." — Rupi Kaur

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." — Gertrude Stein

Next up: How to Practice Gratitude Without Feeling Like an Instagram Cliché

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions. See our full health disclaimer here.

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