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A Simple Act of Gratitude by John Kralik

A Simple Act of Gratitude

How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life

by John Kralik

  • Critics' Consensus (7):
  • Readers' Rating (21):
  • Published:
  • Dec 2011, 240 pages
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There are currently 21 reader reviews for A Simple Act of Gratitude
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Cindy M. (Raleigh, NC)

Gratitude
Gratitude has long been believed to be one of the best cures for depression and self-centeredness. John Kralik's book, 365 Thank Yous, is a testimony to the power of thankfulness to transform lives

I LOVED this book! It is a short, quick read but I read it slowly as his honesty and vulnerability touched my heart. Each time I opened the book, I felt like I was visiting with an old friend - a friend struggling in life that I desperately wanted to cheer on and to cheer up. His transparency in sharing his life served as the perfect backdrop to the honesty of his heartfelt thank you notes. By looking for and grasping the smallest glimmers of light in his life, he was able to be grateful for the many previously unnoticed, wonderful things he had been given, transforming himself (and ultimately his circumstances) in the process.

This book would appeal to anyone who has ever struggled with depression, discouragement, or a temporary lack of vision. It is a wonderful book of encouragement. It will make a great friendship gift and should prompt a new movement in appreciating the many blessings of daily life.
Teresa M. (Naples, FL)

365 Thanks yous
I loved this book! I loved it so much that I recommended it to my book club and it is going to be our November selection. In preparation for our discussion we all agreed to participate in our Thank You Project. Over the summer we are going to write thank you notes, keep track of them and share the results with the group in November.
Joan L. (Palm Desert, CA)

365 Thank Yous
This is a gem of a book. The author has taken an oft-neglected good manners - Thank You note writing - and used the exercise to produce a very heartfelt and valuable book. The reader will want to discover the joy of note writing for him/herself after reading this book. All of us can follow his example and find more in our lives for which we can be grateful.
Sharon C. (Newton, IA)

365 Thank Yous
This book is inspiring and very noteworthy (no pun intended). I find Mr. Kralik's pledge to write 365 thank you notes in a year a very enlightening and very challenging idea. Next time you want to thank some one, write it in a note. Try it. Don't email, don't call, but put it in writing to be saved and to be reread. There is nothing more memorable than a note of gratitude for a good deed no matter how small you may think it is. Thank you, Mr. Kralik.
Erica M. (Chicago, IL)

Thank You - for a pleasant surprise
As a lawyer myself, who has struggled through the challenges of the financial meltdown, and watched family, friends and clients, do the same, I assumed I would relate to what Judge Kralik had to say, based on the description of the book. I wasn't expecting a book that was so hard to put down. It was more than a memoir and more than an inspirational book. I am convinced that we all have to struggle in order to appreciate the goodness in our lives - and Kralik truly got to the heart of that philosophy. I found him even-handed about his analysis of himself and others and approached his challenges with an attitude of this is what I did, not, this is what YOU should do. But even in that, he inspires. I found the statement of ideals for running his law firm to be consistent with the way he ran his life and wrote his thank yous. The book was an extremely pleasant surprise.
Karen G. (Oakland, CA)

365 Thank Yous by John Kralik Inspires
I was enriched and inspired to write my own 365 Thank Yous while reading this book during a weekend. The expression of humble gratitude, acknowledgment, affirmation and appreciation of the action of others in his life enables the author to look at the goodness in his life and renews faith in the human spirit. The simple action of hand writing a brief note of thanks is uplifting for both the writer and the reader of the note and reminds me that the expression of gratitude is a deepening investment in self and others and highlights the richness of human relationships. I want everyone to read this sweet book!
Helen S. (Sun City West, AZ)

Powerful Reminder
John Kralik's personal story clearly shows the transforming power of saying "thank you." As I read 365 Thank Yous, I was moved by the gradual improvement of his family and professional relationships and his financial situation. Incredibly, these significant changes were the result of simply writing thank you notes!

I recommend this easy-to-read true story to readers of all ages, but especially to young people, who may not know the importance of acknowledging gifts, favors, and kindness with a heart-felt thank you note.
Nancy R. (Johnson City, TN)

365 Thank Yous
Wow! I almost read this book in one sitting. It was so good--inspirational, but not in a didactic, overtly spiritual, hit you over the head kind of way. It's one of those books that you (okay I) can definitely relate to. How often do we dwell on the not so wonderful parts of our lives, when we really have so very much to be thankful for. It isn't until we stop and really take the time to think that we realize what is good and precious in our lives. But author John Kralik takes it one step further--he actually puts pen to paper and begins to thank the people around him for kindnesses large and small. And as he does, something happens. Is it his circumstances that change, or is it that he changes how he thinks about his circumstances? You have to read the book to find out (cheesy, I know). But the coolest part about reading the book was that I began to think about myself, my own circumstances, and the people whom I would/could/should thank for their presence in my life and the kindnesses they have shown, great and small. Now I just need to follow through... This is definitely worth reading.
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