Gratitude

Take a moment and look at the world around you—think about all the food you’ve eaten today, the choices you have for entertainment, your home with running water and air conditioning, and machines that do your laundry, clean your floor, and cook your food.

Now imagine what your ancestors might think seeing all this… 

We live in paradise, but I wonder how many of us know it.

My Experience With Gratitude

I want more. 

It’s hard not to want more.

And I’m certain most people will share, they want more too.

Wanting more led me to something called the Law of Attraction. 

When I decided to do some of the Law of Attraction exercises, I focused on the desire to be wealthy.

And suddenly, I was. I was immediately wealthy beyond measure, beyond belief.

I saw all the many great blessings I did have, currently. These were not things that needed to be achieved, won, or fought for. These were all the things I had right now.

  • My good health
  • My family
  • Deep friendships
  • Love
  • Fulfillment in my work
  • Stability in my work
  • Food when I wanted it
  • Running water

The list went on and on.

Without bringing awareness into everything we have, its easy to forget how abundantly we live.

It was an my first and immediate experience with what many call manifestation. 

I had asked to be wealthy, and I was…

What Is Gratitude?

Gratitude is a conscious shift from seeing what’s missing to what’s present, meaningful, and valued.

Psychologists define gratitude as “a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”

Some spiritual teachers describe it as “a prayer of the heart.”

For many, gratitude is a bridge between the person we are and the peace we seek.

Gratitude is not denial. It doesn’t require that you ignore pain or pretend everything’s perfect. 

Instead, gratitude invites you to notice the good within the things that are hard, and the abundance beneath the surface of our ordinary lives.

Why Gratitude Matters

Today’s science confirms what ancient wisdom always knew: gratitude changes both the mind and the body.

  • Emotionally: It increases happiness and reduces anxiety.
  • Physically: It improves sleep, lowers blood pressure, and boosts immune response.
  • Socially: It strengthens empathy and deepens relationships.

Brain imaging studies show that practicing gratitude activates the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain associated with decision-making and well-being.

In simple terms, the more we practice gratitude, the more our brain learns to look for what’s good.

The Meaning of Gratitude

Gratitude, at its core, is the recognition that life is a gift.

This means that even in uncertainty, there is something to honor.

Gratitude isn’t something we have to wait to feel; it’s something we practice until it becomes the way we see the world.

  • Gratitude begins with awareness — noticing the small details we often rush past.
  • Gratitude grows through acknowledgment — expressing thanks privately or aloud.
  • Gratitude deepens through action — choosing to live as though every moment matters.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” — Cicero

Ways to Practice Gratitude

This is your personal invitation to practice gratitude.

It may be important before we start to share that there’s no single “right” way to practice gratitude. 

I’m not really sure there’s even a “wrong” way to practice. But if you find one, be sure to let me know.

Here are three simple ways to practice gratitude:

  1. Keep a Gratitude Journal: Write down three things you’re thankful for each day — not grand achievements, but small truths: the taste of coffee, the sound of rain, the laughter of someone you love.
  2. Speak Gratitude: Tell people why they matter. Gratitude unspoken fades quickly; gratitude expressed multiplies.
  3. Reflect and Breathe: In moments of stress, take one slow breath and name something that still feels okay.
    That’s gratitude reclaiming the moment.

Gratitude as a Way of Life

The longer we practice gratitude, the more it transforms from something we do into something we are.

It doesn’t erase difficulty — but it may soften it.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t guarantee happiness but it may create room for happiness to flourish and grow.

In time, gratitude becomes less about counting blessings and more about realizing that every breath is one.

So maybe the next time life feels heavy, pause. Notice one thing— anything—that reminds you you’re alive, connected, still becoming. And whisper a quiet thank you.

That’s where it begins.

That’s gratitude.

Explore More

  • Gratitude Journal
  • Gratitude Quotes
  • Gratitude Affirmations
  • Meaning of Gratitude
  • Gratitude Meditations
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