The Healing Power of Appreciation
As we move into Thanksgiving week, I have been reflecting on the power of gratitude, not as a seasonal habit but as a true medicine for the heart. Gratitude slows our thoughts, brings us back into the present moment, and reminds us that goodness and beauty can exist alongside challenge. When we practice gratitude regularly, we widen our awareness, strengthening the mental pathways that help us notice what is supportive and steady.
Finding Gratitude in the In-Between
This fall has been a season of transition for me, a time between roles that has brought both uncertainty and unexpected gifts. I have found gratitude in small moments at home, whether working on a project with my husband, caring for my daughter after her surgery, or having the energy to prepare for the holidays. I have also appreciated the chance to volunteer and reconnect with the quiet satisfaction of contributing in meaningful ways.
These experiences have reminded me that gratitude becomes especially powerful during times of change. It does not remove the difficulty or erase the unknowns, but it shifts how we hold them. Gratitude gently anchors us to what is steady and supportive, helping us notice the blessings that remain even when life feels unsettled. It expands our view so we can see that moments of kindness, learning, and connection can coexist with challenge. When we lean into gratitude during the in-between, we begin to meet uncertainty with greater clarity, compassion, and grace.
Simple Blessings, Quiet Grace
It is easy to get swept up in what feels unfinished or heavy. But often it is the simplest blessings that bring us back to center: a warm meal, a kind word, a quiet morning, a moment of laughter. These small gifts create space for ease. When we pause long enough to notice what is already here, the edges of worry soften and we begin to move from heaviness toward light.
Everyday Practices of Gratitude
Gratitude is something we can choose daily. Write down three things that went well, send a thank-you message, or pause for a breath of appreciation before a meal. You can even reflect on a difficult experience and ask, What did this teach me? With curiosity and care, gratitude helps us discover meaning even in the unexpected.
A Season of Thanks and Grace
This season, I invite you to notice the blessings around you, no matter how small. Whisper a quiet thank you for the people who care, the breath that fills your lungs, and the light that greets you each morning. Gratitude is a practice of presence, one that can transform how we see the world and how we show up in it.
Because when we look through the lens of gratitude, we begin to see that grace has been with us all along.