Filipiniana News - Rhyme or Reason 13 January 2010 For many of us, one of the first things that we are taught at home and in school is how to give thanks. It sounds easy enough to say or do, but as we grow older, it also ends up as being one of the easiest things to neglect. If we count ourselves among those who routinely say “thank you” for favors given to us, how often have we stopped to reflect whether we really mean it? Is gratitude adequately expressed by saying the words, “thank you”? Perhaps. But I also think that there are far better and more effective ways of expressing our sincere gratitude. First, it does not hurt to express thanks directly to the person concerned, not necessarily through spoken words, but also through a kind thought or prayer, a smile, a nod, or even a hand wave. For instance, I have seen the latter many times while driving on busy roads and drivers acknowledging those who let them pass through this simple way of expressing thank