November 10, 2025
It’s amazing how much a simple Thought of the Day and Question of the Day can reveal about who we are. Today’s combo hits that sweet spot between heartwarming and hilariously human: Gertrude Stein reminds us that “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone,” while today’s Question asks, “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever said ‘thank you’ for?”
We’re diving into the messy, awkward, deeply human art of gratitude, the kind that comes out sideways, half-formed, or completely unplanned. Because sometimes the truest “thank you” is the weirdest one of all.
Thought of the Day: “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” — Gertrude Stein
Gertrude Stein wasn’t wrong. Gratitude unspoken is like baking a pie and leaving it in the oven forever. You might feel warm inside, but no one else gets to enjoy it.
We all have those moments where we feel grateful but never actually say it out loud, maybe because it feels awkward, or the timing’s off, or we assume the other person already knows. But here’s the truth: nobody can read your mind. Not your partner, not your kids, not your coworkers, not even your barista (though she might guess if you tip extra).
I’ve had times where I was so grateful I almost said something profound… and then chickened out. Like the teacher who believed in me when I didn’t. The coworker who quietly fixed a mistake I made. The friend who showed up with coffee after a brutal week. Every time, I meant to say “thank you,” and every time, I let it slide because it didn’t seem like the right moment. Spoiler: there is no perfect moment.
Saying thank you isn’t just for the other person, it’s for you, too. It’s proof that you noticed, that you’re paying attention. That you’re not walking through life asleep at the wheel.
It reminds me of something I wrote in “Being Kind to Others Is Mostly About Your Actions”. Gratitude, like kindness, means very little if it stays stuck in your head. You’ve got to do something with it. A kind word, a quick text, a random act of appreciation, those small actions ripple farther than we realize.
If you want someone to know they matter, say it. Don’t let your gratitude go bad in the fridge.
Question of the Day: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever said “thank you” for?
I once thanked a spider.
To be fair, it had just eaten a mosquito that was about to eat me. I watched the whole thing unfold like a live-action National Geographic episode on my bedroom wall. When it was over, I actually said, “Thanks, buddy.” The spider didn’t respond, but I like to think it understood.
Weird gratitude is my favorite kind because it’s honest. It slips out before your brain can edit it. Like thanking your toddler for finally pooping after three days (parenthood is glamorous), or thanking your Wi-Fi router for surviving a Zoom meeting. Or thanking your coffee machine like it’s a member of the family—because, honestly, it is.
Gratitude doesn’t have to be polished to be powerful. The weirdest “thank yous” are often the most real. They remind us that appreciation doesn’t need ceremony, it just needs sincerity.
One of my favorite past reflections, “Keep the Circus Going Inside You”, touched on this same idea: that life’s little absurdities are often what keep us grounded. The world can be ridiculous, unpredictable, and overwhelming, but if we can laugh and still find things to be thankful for (even the weird ones), we’re probably doing okay.
So what’s the strangest “thank you” you’ve ever said, or meant to say? Maybe it was to your GPS for finally getting you home after leading you through a cornfield. Or to your dog for being the only one in the house who listens. Whatever it was, it counts.
And hey, if you’re reading this right now, thank you. You could be anywhere on the internet, and you chose to hang out here for a few minutes. That means more than you know.
Your Turn
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever said “thank you” for? Leave a comment below—or better yet, join our free daily email so you can get every Thought of the Day and Question of the Day delivered straight to your inbox.
And don’t keep your gratitude silent—share this post with someone who could use a smile today.
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