Have you ever sat around a table with complete strangers for the sole purpose of expressing gratitude? Until recently, I hadn’t even heard of a “gratitude dinner,” much less participated in one. When Lori Sites invited me to attend such a gathering at her home this week, I was intrigued but uncertain about what I’d signed up for.
What unfolded that evening was nothing short of transformative.
Strangers United by Gratitude
Picture this: 16 people who had never met, gathered around a table sharing a meal prepared by our host. We weren’t there to network or discuss business. We had a single purpose – to answer one profound question:
Who in your life, living or deceased, are you grateful for and think that you could or wish you could express your gratitude to more often?
As we took turns responding, something magical happened. The veneer of unfamiliarity melted away. One by one, people opened up about parents who had sacrificed everything, mentors who believed in them when no one else did, friends who stood by them through impossible circumstances, and loved ones no longer with us who had shaped their lives in profound ways.
I found myself deeply moved as strangers shared stories that were:
- Raw and unfiltered
- Deeply personal
- Sometimes tearful
- Often punctuated with laughter
What struck me most was how quickly the room transformed. These weren’t strangers anymore – they were fellow humans connected by the universal experience of gratitude.
The Sacred Space of Shared Gratitude
There’s something powerful about voicing our gratitude aloud. When we name those we’re thankful for and articulate why, we create a sacred space. Our host Lori understood this intuitively.
The conversations that evening were rich and meaningful in ways I hadn’t anticipated. People spoke of gratitude for:
- Parents who modeled resilience through hardship
- Teachers who saw potential others missed
- Friends who showed up during life’s darkest moments
- Partners who provided unwavering support
- Even strangers whose small kindnesses changed trajectories
As I listened, I realized how rarely we create intentional space for this kind of reflection and expression. We might feel gratitude privately, but speaking it aloud – especially in community – amplifies its power.
The Connector’s Gift
I’m particularly grateful for people like Lori who recognize the value of bringing strangers together for meaningful connection. In our hyper-connected yet increasingly isolated world, creating spaces where people can be authentic and vulnerable is a profound gift.
What Lori did wasn’t complicated. She:
- Opened her home
- Prepared a meal
- Posed a thoughtful question
- Created space for honest sharing
Yet the impact was extraordinary. I left feeling connected not just to the people I’d met, but reconnected to my own sense of gratitude.
A Practice Worth Adopting
This experience has me thinking about how I might incorporate more intentional gratitude into my own life and work. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling – it’s a practice that can transform relationships, workplaces, and communities.
What if more of us created spaces for expressing gratitude? What if business leaders hosted gratitude sessions with their teams? What if families set aside time regularly to share who and what they’re thankful for?
The beauty of gratitude is that it costs nothing to express but creates value beyond measure. It strengthens bonds, heals wounds, and reminds us of what truly matters.
As we head into the weekend, I’m challenging myself to express gratitude more intentionally. Who are you grateful for today? And more importantly – have you told them lately?