The fact that true gratitude creates a sense of openheartedness is the reason so much of the "thanks" in this culture is rote and unfeeling. People are afraid to feel thankful, because they are afraid of the out-of-control experience that occurs when they acknowledge the bond between giver and receiver. We are afraid to feel the love that gets created any time we express true thanks. As adults, our hearts have been broken many times and, by golly, we want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
— M. J. Ryan, Giving Thanks