The Ripple Effects of Thanksgiving Gratitude
How gratitude connects us, lifts us, and inspires second acts in even the most unexpected places.
Nov 23, 2025
Written by our Founder and Chairman, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.
In 1863, when our country was being torn apart by the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln set aside a day of thanksgiving. It seemed like an odd choice at the time: Families were grieving, the nation exhausted, and the war far from over. It didn’t feel like there was much to be grateful for.
But President Lincoln was on to something. He understood that when we express gratitude, something inside us changes. It forces us to look beyond our differences and acknowledge what others contribute to our lives. We become more empathetic, understanding, and social.
And once you start noticing acts of gratitude, they multiply. When someone shows you kindness, you’re more likely to look for reasons to be thankful yourself. Giving thanks has a way of softening the rough edges of our lives and reminding us that we’re not alone.
This Thursday, we’ll pause once again to express gratitude for the blessings we’ve received and the people who’ve helped us along the way. It’s also a reminder that gratitude isn’t something we express on a single day; we can offer it to one another every day.
A thankful community
Gratitude is good manners and good medicine. Neuroscientists tell us that when we pause to acknowledge the people who help us, the brain releases chemicals that help us feel calmer, more hopeful, and more connected.
But honestly, you don’t need a stack of studies to understand the power of gratitude. Over the past few weeks, so many of you in our Celebrations Pulse community have written to tell me how thankful you are for the people who cross your path each day — the friends, coworkers, and even the total strangers who bring a little extra light into your life.
One touching story came from Noel, who met a man named Pedro while traveling in Mexico. Instead of passing him by, she sat down to talk, learning about his life and dreams. His expression of gratitude changed her perspective. It’s also a reminder that thankfulness transcends language and circumstance.
Connie shared memories of a late coworker at Harry & David, whose warmth and humor made every day brighter. Another reader, Kelly, wrote about the fulfillment she finds in her work as a hairstylist, where she connects with clients, shares stories, and builds community.
These stories point to the fact that gratitude makes us feel good and opens the door to deeper relationships and second chances.
Which brings me to a story I’ve been wanting to share.
Thankful for second acts
Recently, I spent time with someone many of you will remember well: Jayson Williams. At St. John’s and later in the NBA, he was a relentless rebounder, an All-Star, and one of the toughest competitors of his era.
But like many athletes whose careers end abruptly, Jayson found himself adrift once the cheering stopped. Injuries pushed him off the court, and the loss of structure and purpose sent him down a painful path. He struggled publicly, and at times, painfully.
After serving time in prison and battling addiction, Jayson could have closed himself off. Instead, he chose something else entirely: gratitude for the chance to begin again. He embraced the gift of a second act with the same force and determination he once brought to the boards.
And that choice not only changed his life but also the lives of others. His gratitude created space for other men to find their own second chance.
Rebounding, together
In 2016, Jayson founded REBOUND because he realized that traditional recovery programs were missing the challenge, teamwork, and spiritual grounding he found essential.
His program for adults recovering from substance abuse, as well as those recently released from prison, uses outdoor-adventure therapy. Activities like paddleboarding, snorkeling, skydiving, and fishing help participants rebuild trust, confidence, and a sense of possibility.
And Jayson isn’t stopping there.
His latest effort, REBOUND on the Road, is an eight-week truck-driving program right here in Nassau County. It helps individuals reentering society earn their commercial licenses and begin meaningful careers. Like Smile Farms, it’s a pathway to a future they can build with their own hands.
Carrying gratitude forward
As we prepare for our national feast of gratitude, Jayson’s story — and the stories so many of you shared — remind me that gratitude is a powerful force that helps us see the best in one another. It not only lifts us up but also helps us believe in the possibility of renewal.
As we give thanks around the table on Thursday, let’s carry that gratitude into the days that follow, touching others in ways big and small.
All the best,
Jim
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AUTHOR
Jim McCann is the founder and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. as well as a business leader, author, and philanthropist with a passion for helping people deliver smiles. Devoted to helping others, he also founded Smile Farms, a 501(c)3 organization that provides meaningful jobs in agricultural settings to young adults and adults with developmental disabilities.