365 Thank Yous

The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life

By: John Kralik

Narrated by: John Kralik

One recent December, at age 53, John Kralik found his life at a terrible, frightening low: his small law firm was failing; he was struggling through a painful second divorce; he had grown distant from his two older children and was afraid he might lose contact with his young daughter; he was living in a tiny apartment where he froze in the winter and baked in the summer; he was 40 pounds overweight; his girlfriend had just broken up with him; and overall, his dearest life dreams—including hopes of upholding idealistic legal principles and of becoming a judge—seemed to have slipped beyond his reach.

Then, during a desperate walk in the hills on New Year’s Day, John was struck by the belief that his life might become at least tolerable if, instead of focusing on what he didn’t have, he could find some way to be grateful for what he had.

Inspired by a beautiful, simple note his ex-girlfriend had sent to thank him for his Christmas gift, John imagined that he might find a way to feel grateful by writing thank-you notes. To keep himself going, he set himself a goal—come what may—of writing 365 thank-you notes in the coming year.

One by one, day after day, he began to handwrite thank yous—for gifts or kindnesses he’d received from loved ones and coworkers, from past business associates and current foes, from college friends and doctors and store clerks and handymen and neighbors, and anyone, really, absolutely anyone, who’d done him a good turn, however large or small. Immediately after he’d sent his very first notes, significant and surprising benefits began to come John’s way—from financial gain to true friendship, from weight loss to inner peace. While John wrote his notes, the economy collapsed, the bank across the street from his office failed, but thank-you note by thank-you note, John’s whole life turned around.

©2010 John Kralik (P)2010 Hyperion

Love the message!

A feel good story with such a great message that is important for all of us.

Inspirational & and Heartwarming

It is amazing how a simple act of sending kind words in a written card, can change the trajectory of both parties involved.

Really enjoyed this book.

Left me with a lot to think on. I have missed lots of opportunities to write notes, I guess now is the time to get started.

Read this book- after 4000 titles read I would read this one 4000 times!

Everything meshed with this book! It’s a game changer! Written and spoken with total sincerity- from the HEaRT! If read or listened to while in desperation, hopelessness or just with a strong willingness to change anything and. Or everything, read this one! Like I wrote earlier, I believe this one changes the game - it can change lives! Truly inspired! Enjoy! Ps: the one ya don’t want to end!!!

Dear John, Thank you…….

Dear John,

Thank you for writing 365 Thank Yous and for publishing your personal thank you notes to your family and friends. Grateful for all you shared and inspired to continue writing thank you notes to everyone who has made an impact in my world.

Thank you for a reminder

I was excited to listen to this book, mainly because of the topic of gratitude and for the most part that message came through. However, I have to say I found the author's ramblings about the bad parts of his life a bit self serving at times,especially when followed up with the fact he was an attorney and he was divorced and lived in a bad apartment etc, etc. Sometimes I didn't want to hear about his "situation" and felt like the book didn't need it to make the point. The power of the thank you was enough to fill the pages, the stories of his friends that overcame and one's courage even as he succumbed to cancer were powerful and made the book a strong message that I will carry and in the end made it a good read. I appreciated what the author did to thank people for being thoughtful, nice, aware, and even just present. That made the book memorable in my mind and actually one of my favorite parts is at the end when he lists all of those people. Thank YOU!!!!!

A great reminder

I am very inspired by this story. I grew up writing Thank You notes and have periodically continued in personal and professional life, but want to get better at expressing my gratitude.
So glad this story was shared and I will be recommending this book to many.

Life-changing book

What a treasure this book is. The world would be a better place if everyone read it. Thank you, Mr. Kralik, for your gentle narrative, honest vulnerability, and hopeful message. I wish you every blessing.

Such a good book

Definitely worth a listen. If the world had just a little more of John’s spirit what a better place it’d be.

Thank you for this book

Loved the story, love the idea and have already put this in practice every day.