A WORD (OR TWO HUNDRED) FROM THE EDITOR

Pollyanna was a little girl who knew how to “do” gratitude, possibly like none other. Making her first appearance in Pollyanna The Glad Book in 1912, the 11-year-old orphan taught those around her how to play the glad game.

Starting with a story about how her father had taught her to be grateful for everything life threw at them. When instead of the much longed-for doll, the missionary barrel yielded a pair of crutches, they could be glad that they didn’t need the crutches, he said.

The book by Eleanor H Porter, and the other Glad books that followed, would go on to become beloved children’s classics. Though “pulling a Pollyanna” or “channelling your inner Pollyanna” began to be used almost dismissively, later, it’s a beautiful philosophy.

One that echoes an old Hindi saying my mother was fond of. Chhoti bala se badi bala tali. Or, a small problem or issue took the place of a potential bigger one. In other words, be grateful, it could have been worse.

Another book, The Gratitude Diaries, chronicles Janice Kaplan’s year of living gratefully and transforming her marriage, family life, work, and health. With a New Year’s resolution to look on the bright side of life, she realized that how she felt over the next year would have less to do with the events that occur than her own attitude and perspective. Getting advice from psychologists, academics, doctors and philosophers, Kaplan brings readers on a smart and witty journey to discover the value of appreciating what you have.

We teach our children to say please and thank-you. Kaplan discovers the role of gratitude in, among other things, our children’s happiness.

There’s a whole movement around being grateful these days, but old cultures around the world have always taught their young to count their blessings, to be grateful for what they receive. The Ubuntu philosophy, ancient African thought based on “I am because we are” is all about sharing and being grateful.

There’s a lovely story about receiving gratefully and sharing. An explorer arriving at a remote spot on the planet was greeted by local inhabitants. Eager to show them the gifts of “civilization”, he handed an elder of the tribe a cigarette. The man slit it open and shared the tobacco with his small group. Individually, they received just a few strands with which they couldn’t really do anything. Together, they all shared in the gift and were happy.

Everyone has been through a lot in recent months. We’ve faced personal loss and learnt of unmitigated suffering among many. No one escaped unscathed, but we may yet find something to be grateful for. This Thanksgiving, gather your loved ones – whether virtually or in-person depending on how things are – and offer a prayer of gratitude for their continued health and safety.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Dussehra!

Happy Halloween!

Shagorika Easwar