In the busyness and demands of our daily lives, we often take for granted every breath we take and the briefest interactions we have. The practice of gratitude, however, invites us to be reflectively aware of the sacredness of even the smallest and seemingly insignificant moments. The practice of gratitude invites us to pause and identify where we have experienced our joys, peace, love, and challenges. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack and what went wrong to abundance and positivity, which can make a difference to our well-being. Gratitude reminds us that even amid suffering, there are threads of hope, kindness, and support woven into the fabric of our experiences.
A compliment, a smile from a stranger, the sound of laughter, the warmth of friendship, a thoughtful note, a shared meal, and an invitation for coffee are all moments we are reminded of God’s presence. Gratitude is not just a polite response to such moments, but a transformative action rooted in our relationship with God, self, and others. In cultivating a daily intentional practice of gratitude, we are reminded to find beauty in our existence, relationships, and the world.
We could consider simple practices like journaling, the Examen, or mindful moments to enhance our gratitude practice. We could also consider ways to show our appreciation to others. Another way to grow in gratitude is to reflect on our past experiences of gratitude. How did it feel for someone to say, “Thank you,” to us? What did it feel like to name something for which we were grateful?
It is so easy to forget to give thanks for the gift of a new day or the opportunity to enjoy a meal. It is easy to forget to reach out to those we love and those who might need to know they are loved. As an antidote, maybe we can spend intentional time enjoying and giving thanks for a meal, great friends, wonderful family, and a chance to turn around and say, “Thank you, Jesus. I am grateful that you are here.”
Let us name our blessings, reflect on them, and keep smiling about them, filling our minds and hearts with gratitude. May we always recognize God’s mercy and blessings in our everyday moments. Amen.
Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash.
