As Thanksgiving arrives, we often turn our attention to family gatherings, shared meals, and the ritual of saying thanks. But what if gratitude is more than a holiday sentiment — what if it’s a science-backed force that could strengthen our patience, honesty, generosity, and even our democracy?
In this Thanksgiving episode of Justice ReDesigned, I explore the transformative power of gratitude — not as a polite gesture, but as a daily practice with profound psychological and social consequences. Drawing on the research of psychologist Dr. David DeSteno, whose work shows how gratitude reshapes our behavior, our relationships, and even our immune systems, we ask a bigger question:
If more of us practiced gratitude intentionally, could we be a less polarized nation?Could gratitude pull us back from the harshness, cynicism, and performative outrage that dominate so much of our public life?
In his conversation with WBUR’s On Point, Dr. DeSteno highlighted how gratitude can inspire patience over impulsivity, cooperation over conflict, and empathy over ego. But he also warned of its misuse — pointing to moments when public figures have demanded gratitude as a form of loyalty, an expectation rooted not in humility but in power. That contrast — between authentic gratitude and its distorted cousin — offers a timely lens through which to understand our cultural moment.
This episode blends science, storytelling, and a bit of soul-searching. I reflect personally on how gratitude has shaped my own thinking throughout my judicial career, my reform work, and the many moments when difficult people and difficult systems could have hardened my heart — but didn’t.
And ultimately, I pose a challenge:What would America look like if gratitude, not grievance, set the tone of our daily interactions?What would our politics look like? Our classrooms? Our communities? Our dialogue with one another?
On this Thanksgiving, I invite you to take a few minutes to listen, reflect, and maybe begin your own daily gratitude practice — not because it’s sentimental, but because it’s transformative.
