Ever feel like the world is just a bit too heavy sometimes? It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind the to-do lists and the challenges that life throws our way. We all have those days.
I know what it’s like to feel stuck. Stephen Montagne our founder here at GoodExistence.com often shares his own journey. He battled gaming binge eating drinking and laziness. He felt overwhelmed. But a key part of his transformation which included losing over 110 pounds and building a healthy productive life was discovering the simple power of gratitude. It wasn't a magic fix but it was a steady light.
Why Gratitude Changes Everything
Gratitude isn't about pretending everything is perfect. Life can be tough. We face setbacks we have bad days. Gratitude is about choosing to see the good that still exists even amidst the difficulties. It’s about shifting our focus.
Think about it. When you’re constantly looking at what’s wrong or what you lack it’s easy to feel down. But when you actively look for things to be thankful for your perspective starts to change. It’s like opening a window in a stuffy room. Fresh air comes in. Hope comes in.
For Stephen gratitude became an anchor. When he was working to overcome old habits it was easy to focus on failures. But taking a moment each day to appreciate small wins like choosing a healthy meal or completing a short burst of focused work helped him stay positive. It built momentum. He found that this practice also strengthened his Christian Orthodox faith helping him see God’s blessings in everyday moments.
Making Gratitude a Simple Part of Your Day
You don’t need a complicated system to practice gratitude. It can be incredibly simple. The key is consistency. Here are a few ideas:
- Start a gratitude journal: Each day write down 3-5 things you’re thankful for. They can be big or small. A sunny day. A good cup of coffee. A kind word from a stranger. The roof over your head.
- Say "thank you" more often: And really mean it. Thank the person who holds the door for you. Thank your family for their support. Thank yourself for your efforts.
- Use visual reminders: Place a small note or object somewhere you’ll see it often to remind you to pause and feel grateful.
- Gratitude walk: Go for a short walk and consciously look for things to appreciate in your surroundings.
Stephen incorporates daily gratitude into his routine. It’s a non-negotiable part of his day just like his focused work sessions. He found it doesn’t take much time but the benefits are huge. It helps him stay grounded positive and connected to his purpose.
40 Gratitude Quotes to Warm Your Heart
Sometimes a few well-chosen words can spark that feeling of thankfulness. Here are some quotes to inspire you. Maybe you can pick one each day to reflect on.
- "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." – Aesop
- "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." – Eckhart Tolle
- "Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life." – Rumi
- "Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions." – Zig Ziglar
- "The more you praise and celebrate your life the more there is in life to celebrate." – Oprah Winfrey
- "Gratitude makes sense of our past brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." – Melody Beattie
- "He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not but rejoices for those which he has." – Epictetus
- "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." – Marcel Proust
- "When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears." – Tony Robbins
- "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others." – Cicero
- "Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts." – Henri Frederic Amiel
- "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." – Melody Beattie
- "The root of joy is gratefulness." – David Steindl-Rast
- "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." – William Arthur Ward
- "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have you will never ever have enough." – Oprah Winfrey
- "Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." – William Arthur Ward
- "Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart the peace that rests within my spirit and the voice of hope that says all things are possible."
- "Start each day with a thankful heart."
- "It’s not happiness that brings us gratitude. It’s gratitude that brings us happiness."
- "Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness."
- "Find something to be grateful for even on the hard days."
- "A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles."
- "The little things? The little moments? They aren't little." – Jon Kabat-Zinn
- "Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty." – Doris Day
- "When we focus on our gratitude the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in." – Kristin Armstrong
- "Develop an attitude of gratitude and give thanks for everything that happens to you knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." – Brian Tracy
- "Gratitude is the wine for the soul. Go on. Get drunk." – Rumi
- "What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude." – Brené Brown
- "Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you." – Eileen Caddy
- "There is always always always something to be thankful for."
- "Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy." – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- "Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." – Robert Brault
- "Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some." – Charles Dickens
- "Gratitude is like a flashlight. It lights up what is already there. You don't necessarily have anything new but you suddenly see it in a different way."
- "The struggle ends when gratitude begins." – Neale Donald Walsch
- "Open your eyes to the beauty around you open your mind to the wonders of life open your heart to those who love you and always be true to yourself."
- "If you want to find happiness find gratitude." – Steve Maraboli
- "Gratitude is the music of the heart. Sing it loud."
- "A moment of gratitude makes a difference in your attitude." – Bruce Wilkinson
- "Let your first thought in the morning be 'Thank you.'"
Weaving Gratitude into Your Life’s Fabric
These quotes are lovely reminders. But how do you make gratitude a real part of your life not just a nice idea?
Think of it like any healthy habit. It takes practice. Stephen didn’t lose 110 pounds or build a productive routine overnight. It was about small consistent steps. Gratitude works the same way.
- Morning Reflection: Start your day by thinking of one quote that resonates with you. Or simply list three things you are grateful for before you even get out of bed.
- Evening Review: Before you sleep reflect on your day. What went well? What are you thankful for? This can help you end the day on a positive note.
- Gratitude in Challenges: When you face a tough situation try to find one small thing to be grateful for. It might be the support of a friend the lesson learned or simply your own strength to keep going. This was crucial for Stephen when he faced setbacks. It helped him reframe challenges and keep moving forward.
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring life’s difficulties. It’s about acknowledging the good that coexists with them. It’s about finding strength peace and even joy no matter what you’re going through. It’s a simple practice with profound effects. It can warm your heart and change your life one thankful thought at a time.
What’s one small thing you can be grateful for right now? Just one. Start there.
