
The Forgotten Power of Gratitude: Why Remembering Our Past Is Key to Our Future
How Thankfulness and Memory Can Save Civilization from Itself
What happens when a society forgets the struggles that built its freedom? According to Suicide of the West, it becomes vulnerable to cynicism, decay, and decline. Gratitude is not just a feeling; it is a practice—a way of seeing the world that protects against complacency. Societies that teach gratitude for their institutions, history, and freedoms are more resilient. Those that forget are lost.
Goldberg urges us to remember that the Miracle is not natural. It was built by generations who fought, sacrificed, and believed in something greater than themselves. When we take these gifts for granted, we risk losing them. The antidote is gratitude—not passive acceptance, but active remembrance. Tell the stories. Teach the lessons. Honor the institutions that protect us.
Practical steps matter: celebrate civic holidays, support history education, and encourage intergenerational storytelling. These simple acts build resilience and hope. Decline is not inevitable; it is a choice. Gratitude makes renewal possible.
As we look to the future, let us remember that the work of civilization is never finished. Gratitude is the foundation on which all else is built.
Sources: Blinkist, Amazon reviews, Front Porch Republic
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