A Portage County way to think about gratitude

Managing supervisor Pat Blair (left) helps volunteers Jerry Taylor (center) and Joel Barrett load boxes of food for Kathy Englehart at the Brimfield Community Cupboard in 2021. Michael Indriolo/The Portager

A Portage County way to think about gratitude

- Ben Wolford

When people talk about “being thankful,” they’re always talking about something you should do individually. Send thank-you cards. Make a list of things you’re grateful for. Each Thanksgiving, studies reappear to remind us thankfulness has health benefits.

Anyone who has given a sincere thank you or received one knows the truth of those research findings. If altruism is the evolved behavior of a social species, then gratitude is its currency, encouraging participation with dopamine rewards.

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