Grasping for Gratitude in the Small Things

I sometimes find myself grasping for gratitude even on the best of days.

When I would complain or pout about some small misfortune, my mother offered little consolation. She shrugged and gave me these words:

“Be thankful for what you have.”

Loss or change can strangle you. Being thankful for what you have becomes obscured by unfulfilled dreams.

I’ve learned in troubled times, grasp for hope, and practice gratitude in the small, unexpected gifts.

When my mother took the slow walk through Alzheimer’s, I found gratitude difficult.

I remembered the words and put them into practice. Be thankful for what you have. I found gratitude in what she modeled for me in her life:

Stay strong and persist
Wear red lipstick and never leave the house without it
Love your family
Give generously
Create food, crafts, music
Sing with all your soul
Do your best
Be yourself

Gratitude. The quality of being thankful. Readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. We are all part of one humanity. Let’s hold onto that reality.

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

How willing are we to be thankful? How often do we make the effort to show appreciation? The part of this definition that poses the greatest challenge may be the willingness to return a kindness.

These are simple acts. Take your foot off the accelerator to allow a fellow traveler in the lane of busy traffic. Opening the door for a harried mom with three toddlers in tow. Smiling. Offering an encouraging word to a co-worker, a friend, or even a stranger. A hug.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
— John F. Kennedy

Gratitude’s best work comes from our actions. How will I choose to act today? Make it a daily practice.

Small steps can change our attitude and help us grasp for gratefulness.

Write down in a journal or on a sticky note one thing that brought you joy today.
Reflect on the people or events that inspired you. This might prompt you to send a note of gratitude. Saying thank you doesn’t have an expiration date.
Think about a positive experience that changed your life. How would your life have turned out if that event had not occurred?

Always, a song

Thoughts to carry

“This a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.”
—Maya Angelou

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
—Willie Nelson

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
—A.A. Milne