A 4-year-old actress was appearing in a movie with an aging, crotchety star. One day, the star came on the set made up to the nines, and the little girl said to her, “Gee, you look so nice.”

The actress made a pouty face and replied, “What am I supposed to say to that?”

The little girl politely remarked, “You could say ‘thank you’.”

Never pass up an opportunity to express gratitude! It is better to say “Thank you” and mean it, than to mean it and never say it.

Years ago, I was at temple for the High Holy Days, and there was a young family in front of us. I told the mother how well-behaved her children were. A short time later, I received a letter from the woman thanking me for my comments. It obviously meant a lot to the parents.

I thought to myself how many times over the years I observed something similar that deserved a compliment and didn’t say a word. Unexpressed gratitude is useless.

Motivational author Glenn Van Ekeren said: “Never underestimate the value of a kind word, appreciation, encouragement or a compliment ... no matter how small it might seem. You have five minutes to make a call, send an email, write a note or personally impact someone’s life. What are you waiting for? Go do it.”

Thanksgiving is a duty before it’s a feeling. Thanksgiving is good, but “thanksliving” is better. Gratitude shouldn’t be an occasional incident but a continuous attitude. Thanksgiving is a college from which we never graduate.

Let’s explore the importance of showing gratitude in both personal and professional contexts. For starters, on a personal level, expressing gratitude to family and friends can deepen your connections. When you show appreciation, it reinforces bonds and fosters a sense of belonging and trust.

Gratitude has been linked to improved mental health. It can reduce stress, increase happiness and even improve sleep. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in uplifting both the giver and the receiver.

Practicing gratitude shifts your focus from what's lacking to what you have, promoting a more positive outlook on life. This can enhance your overall quality of life and make you more resilient in the face of challenges.

On the professional side, acknowledging colleagues’ efforts in the workplace can lead to a more motivated and engaged team. Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to be productive and committed to their work. Sincere appreciation and praise are the lubrication that makes life more enjoyable.

A culture of gratitude can transform the work environment, making it more collaborative and supportive. This can lead to higher employee retention and satisfaction.

Showing gratitude to clients and partners can strengthen business relationships. It demonstrates professionalism and can lead to increased loyalty and referrals.

In both personal and professional contexts, gratitude is a powerful tool that can transform relationships and environments. It's not just about saying “thank you,” but about genuinely appreciating the people and opportunities around you. Gratitude is the glue that binds relationships together.

A teacher once asked her students to list what they thought were the Seven Wonders of the World. Most students wrote down the usual suspects: the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon and so on. However, one student had a different list. She wrote: “To see, to hear, to touch, to taste, to feel, to laugh and to love.”

The teacher was taken aback by the student's perspective and realized that sometimes, the most wondrous things in life are the simplest ones we often take for granted. This story reminds us that gratitude is not just for the grand gestures or monumental achievements, but also for the everyday wonders that enrich our lives.

Sometimes, the greatest wonders are not built by human hands but felt by the human heart.

On a personal note, I am grateful for all my readers. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mackay’s Moral: If we pause to think, we’ll have cause to thank.

In my favorite comic strip, “Peanuts,” Charlie Brown is walking off the baseball field with Lucy, his head down and totally dejected. Charlie says, “Another ball game lost! Good grief! I get tired of losing. Everything I do, I lose!”

Lucy replies: “Look at it this way, Charlie Brown. We learn more from losing than we do from winning.”

To which Charlie replies, “That makes me the smartest person in the world!”

Always the philosopher, Charlie Brown makes a great point. Now his charge is to use some of that knowledge to find a way to win, at least some of the time.

Avid sports fans will remember the legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who said, “Winning isn’t everything, but it beats anything that comes in second.”

Winners always have an idea and look for a way to do it, while losers always have an excuse and look for a way to get out of it. Winners say, “I’ll do it!” and “I can.” Losers always say, “It’s not my job” and “I can’t.” Winners see an answer to every problem. Losers see a problem for every answer.

That attitude goes beyond sports. It applies through all phases of life.

Winning in business is certainly important, but it's crucial to understand what "winning" truly means. Winning in business doesn't always mean being the biggest or the most profitable. Success can be defined by achieving specific goals, such as customer satisfaction, innovation, market share or employee well-being.

Winning should be about creating long-term value rather than short-term gains. Sustainable growth involves building a solid foundation that ensures continued success over time, rather than just focusing on immediate victories.

In a rapidly changing business environment, adaptability is key. Winning businesses are those that can innovate and adapt to new challenges and opportunities, staying ahead of the competition.

A business that prioritizes its customers is more likely to succeed. Winning in business often means delivering exceptional value and service to customers, which leads to loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

How you win is as important as winning itself. Upholding ethical standards and integrity can enhance a company's reputation and ensure long-term success.

“Winning doesn’t always mean being first,” said Bonnie Blair, five-time gold medal American speed skater. “Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before.”

Strange as it sounds, losing can be part of winning. Businesses that learn from their failures and use them as steppingstones to improve processes and strategies are often the ones that ultimately succeed.

I love to win, whether it’s a business success, completing a volunteer project, landing my golf drive on the green, hitting a fundraising goal or even crossing another item off my bucket list.

And I find that just because I win at something, it doesn’t have to mean that someone else loses. One business achievement can inspire those around you to aim higher. When winning becomes part of the culture, the company wins, employees win, customers win and the community wins. In other words, winning can be contagious.

A football coach, speaking at his college’s booster club fundraiser, was having a difficult time avoiding the subject of his team’s losing season. He finally decided to make light of his predicament and said, “As you all know, we’re not doing too well in our conference. We’re not winning any ball games, but you must admit, we are exciting to watch.”

With that he proceeded to expound on the virtues of playing the game with enthusiasm versus the need to win. At the program’s conclusion, a faithful supporter approached the coach and offered this suggestion: “Why don’t you play with a little less hype and win a few games.”

In business, you can view yourself in two ways -- as a worker or an entrepreneur.

You don’t have to be an hourly employee to have a worker mentality, nor do you have to be an independent businessperson to have an entrepreneur mindset.

My friend, Nido Qubein, president of High Point University in North Carolina and a fellow member of the National Speakers Association, told me it is all about your attitude. He explained that people who follow the worker mentality do not discern a clear connection between their own success and the success of the company.

“If the company’s performance is marginal, they are not overly concerned so long as they continue to draw paychecks and receive their annual increases,” Nido said. “They may attend to their own areas competently, but they do not worry about what happens outside their areas of responsibility.”

On the flip side, those who follow the entrepreneurial mentality see themselves as partners in prosperity with the company. They view the company’s ups and downs as their ups and downs and are looking for ways to contribute to the company’s profitability. They look for ways to make a difference.

“A company with a workforce full of entrepreneurs is almost sure to succeed, and the entrepreneurs will share in its success,” Nido believes. “Think like that, and you can share in the success wherever you are.”

An entrepreneurial mindset isn't just about starting a business; it's about recognizing opportunities, taking initiative, and driving positive change wherever you are.

November is National Entrepreneurship Month in the United States, a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs who serve their communities and bolster the American economy. The second week each November (Nov. 11-17 this year) is Global Entrepreneurship Week when we also recognize the American spirit of entrepreneurship abroad.

Having an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for several reasons:

Adaptability and resilience -- An entrepreneurial mindset fosters adaptability and resilience. Entrepreneurs are often faced with unexpected challenges and must pivot quickly to new strategies. This mindset helps individuals remain flexible and resilient in the face of adversity, ensuring they can navigate through tough times effectively.

Innovation and creativity -- Entrepreneurs are known for their innovative thinking and creativity. They constantly seek new solutions to problems and are not afraid to think outside the box. This approach can lead to groundbreaking ideas and improvements that drive progress and success. As Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, said, “The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.”

Proactive problem solving -- Entrepreneurs are proactive problem solvers. They anticipate potential issues and take action to address them before they become significant obstacles. This proactive approach can save time and resources and prevent crises.

Risk management -- While entrepreneurs are often seen as risk-takers, they are actually skilled at managing risk. They evaluate potential risks and rewards carefully and make informed decisions that balance both. This ability to manage risk effectively is essential for long-term success.

Leadership and vision -- An entrepreneurial mindset includes strong leadership and a clear vision for the future. Entrepreneurs inspire and motivate others, creating a shared sense of purpose and direction. This leadership quality is vital for building and sustaining successful teams and organizations.

Continuous learning and growth -- Entrepreneurs are lifelong learners. They seek out new knowledge and experiences to improve their skills and stay ahead of the competition. This commitment to continuous learning fosters personal and professional growth.

Economic impact -- Entrepreneurs drive economic growth by creating new businesses, generating jobs and fostering innovation. Their contributions can have a remarkably positive impact on local and global economies.

Entrepreneurs create because of fulfillment more than money. They believe in making things happen. They don’t wait for someone to tell them that it’s OK. Entrepreneurs often find a new way to do something.

They also succeed by finding solutions to problems. Entrepreneurs are like a firefighter who runs into a situation everyone else is trying to leave. They know what they are doing. They have a mission and a plan just like the firefighter. They know what caused the fire and how to put it out.

Above all, entrepreneurs have faith. They understand that looking on the dark side of any situation is fatal to a business. Optimism is the heart and soul of entrepreneurs.

Mackay's Moral: Don’t wait for opportunity. Create it.