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Being Thankful for My Life

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Published: Mar 5, 2024

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Being Thankful For My Life

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You are here: Home » Blog » Gratitude

21 Things to be Thankful For Today (With Examples!)

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Being grateful is related to an increase in your happiness

Being thankful is linked to improved quality of sleep, 1. thankful for having a loving dog, 2. thankful for having a caring parent, 3. thankful for the good deeds that exist in this world, 4. thankful for enjoying time spent with my family, 5. thankful for a great show on netflix, 6. thankful for the beautiful sunlight, 7. thankful for the many good memories in my life, 8. thankful for having a roof above my head, 9. thankful for experiencing the struggles in life, 10. thankful for being able to go on walks, 11. thankful for spending time in nature, 12. thankful for getting to spend time with my girlfriend, 13. thankful for waking up each morning with the birds outside of my window, 14. thankful for appreciating music, 15. thankful for getting to be vulnerable, 16. thankful for seeing my strawberry plant grow, 17. thankful for the not-so-great stuff in life, 18. thankful for my life partner, 19. thankful for all the farmers and drivers who nourish us with fresh food, 20. thankful for technology, 21. thankful for the feeling of putting on a fresh pair of socks, wrapping up, why should you be thankful today.

As I mentioned in the intro, there are plenty of reasons to be thankful today.

Even when luck doesn’t seem to be on your side, it’s always good to try to consider some of the things that are still kind to you.

But why exactly should you be thankful? How exactly does a little gratitude improve your life? There have been multiple fascinating studies that prove multiple links between thankfulness and positive factors in life, but I want to highlight two of them here.

One of the most detailed studies on thankfulness was conducted in 2003 by Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough . They monitored the happiness of a group of people after having asked the following question:

“There are many things in our lives, both large and small, that we might be grateful about. Think back over the past week and write down on the lines below up to five things in your life that you are grateful or thankful for.”

The study showed that people were approximately 10% happier when encouraged to think of things they’re grateful for.

10 percent may sound inconsequential, but if you practice gratitude every day, these small improvements will compound and may improve your mental health in a significant way.

💡 By the way : Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control. 👇

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In addition, another study reviewed the influence of gratitude on the quality of sleep.

This study tested whether individual differences in gratitude are related to sleep quality. Gratitude predicted greater subjective sleep quality and sleep duration, and less sleep latency and daytime dysfunction. These results were found after studying 400 people of all ages.

Long story short, thinking about things to be thankful for and grateful for before going to bed is linked to a better quality of sleep. This is also why it’s good to maintain a gratitude journal right before going to sleep!

What are you thankful for today?

Here are 21 examples of what you can be thankful for today. These examples are from real people, as I went online and asked around:

What is something that you are grateful for? For example, you can be grateful for someone smiling at you, for a beautiful sunset, or for some nice music that you recently listened to. Whatever comes to your mind is OK!

Who’s thankful: Suset Laboy

I am deeply grateful for my coffee-loving dog. Every morning, as soon as he smells the coffee my sister is making, he runs to the kitchen because he loves the smell. When she is done, he chases her to the couch and sit on her and tries to convince her to give him some coffee. It is both hilarious and heartwarming, and I have started looking forward to this little morning ritual that brings some much needed levity into our days.

Who’s thankful: Nancy Osoro

I always start my day with a little gratitude as soon as my feet hit the floor. But lately, I have been very grateful for my mom who is constantly reminding me to drink my fresh ginger tea to keep me healthy during these crazy and stressful times. Despite a 7-hour time difference, she makes it a point of calling every day. It makes me realize how lucky I am.

Who’s thankful: Leia Kalani

We live in a crazy world and it’s far too easy to only see the negative around us. I am so grateful every time I see someone do a good deed for someone else, even a small gesture can have a huge impact. Whether it’s helping a blind person cross the street, carrying groceries for the elderly, or even holding the door open for someone, these good deeds rekindle my belief in the good of humanity. It’s easy to get bogged down by society but opening your eyes and seeing the good can make you thankful that there are still good people in the world.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a specific mention of family.

The truth is, I love spending time with my family, mainly my parents, brother, and sister. I’m thankful for the time my brother, sister and I ran a marathon together. Or the many dinners at my parents’ with the entire family. Or when my father takes my brother and me to Austria for a couple of days of hiking in the mountains.

I am extremely thankful for having a loving family, and it’s something that I should always try to remember when I’m feeling down or unhappy.

Who’s thankful: Nancy Irwin

I’m grateful for the amazing cast, set designers, and costumes of The Crown. I am so grateful that I can curl up in a soft blanket on my sofa and binge this amazing educational, historical, fascinating show during my free time now.

Who’s thankful: Joy Rains

I’m grateful for sunlight! Yesterday afternoon, a sunbeam entered my home through the dining room window. Bright yellow circles of light landed on the legs of my dining room chairs. Each chair looked to be adorned with glistening jewels. I smiled, grateful to be a witness to nature’s magic.

This is something that I’m personally very grateful for in my life.

I keep an entire memory journal dedicated to remembering the many good memories of my life.

I find that remembering good memories helps me maintain a happy mind. Thinking back about that time that I laughed my ass off about something silly brings a smile to my face. This is something I try to do daily, whenever I find a moment to stand still and think about my life.

Who’s thankful: Tessa Hull

I’m grateful for knowing that I’m not “stuck” in the house but “safe” in the house while others out there cannot be so lucky, either not having a roof over their head or not feeling safe in their own home. Knowing how to reframe my thoughts when I’m feeling rubbish helps. I’m also super grateful for a steady supply of Italian cheese. Because not everything you’re grateful for needs to be so serious.

Who’s thankful: Noelle Creamer

Something that I am grateful for are struggles. To me, they are a gift. Rather than living a life of luxury and ease, my struggles over the years have taught me value, wisdom, and compassion. They have led me to spiritual growth. The greater the challenge I face, the more I learn, the more I progress, and the stronger I become. For that, I am grateful.

Who’s thankful: Emily Adams

I am grateful to have my health and the fact that I can still spend time in nature. On my walk today I was able to see four baby foxes and just soak it all in and I am grateful for that.

Who’s thankful: Nekeshia Hammond

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to spend time in nature. Whether it is taking the time to watch a sunset, spending time on a beach, or enjoying time in the mountains (if I’m visiting another place), nature offers such peace of mind. As we can all get so busy with the day-to-day, it’s nice to unwind, take some deep breaths, and focus on the beauty that nature has to offer.

This is one that I personally wanted to include in this list. I’m incredibly grateful for the fact that my girlfriend and I somehow found each other in this world with over 7 billion people.

My relationship is one of my biggest happiness factors . I love my girlfriend and she makes my life happier on a daily basis. It almost sounds cheesy to write it down, but I just don’t want to take this relationship for granted. I feel lucky to have her in my life and wouldn’t want to imagine what it’d be like if it was any different.

It’s one of the things I’m most thankful for in life.

Who’s thankful: Lynell Ross

Each morning, I am treated with a visit from these precious little birds, first flying back and forth, then hovering in front of the glass as if they are saying good morning before they sit to drink their nectar. I love seeing their tiny little hummingbird shape and color so close up, reminding me to be aware of nature, which is so comforting and peaceful.

This is another one that I personally wanted to add to the list.

If you still have your hearing, then you should be grateful for the beauty of sound. The fact that multiple sound waves combined form music that can carry emotion, tension, and excitement is something that we often take for granted.

Music has the power to move. I personally experience this every once in a while, when a song sucks me in and takes me on a journey. This journey always ends up putting a smile on my face, and sometimes even brings me to tears. Tears of happiness, that is.

The fact that we’re able to hear and appreciate sounds and music is definitely something to be thankful for.

Who’s thankful: Michelle Kuei

I am grateful for all the connections I am able to make when I let my guard down and become vulnerable. Being able to use my vulnerability as a superpower to share my story with others provides healing in the heart of others. It gives them strength and comfort knowing they are not alone. This brings me joy, fulfillment, and purpose in my heart. I am grateful for the connections I have made through being vulnerable and sharing my story.

Who’s thankful: Chris Kaiser

One small thing I’m super grateful for is seeing the flowers on the very first strawberry plant I ever planted. We planted it about 3 weeks ago on our balcony, and since then I’m diligently counting every single flower it produces (13 in total so far). Every tiny new flower puts a broad smile to my face.

Who’s thankful: Allen Klein

This may sound strange, but I’m grateful for the not-so-great stuff in my life. They are my greatest teachers. For example, I learned about living fully from those who have passed on. I’ve learned to appreciate my body more from the times things don’t function as they should. And now, I’m learning about being grateful for the parks in my neighborhood now that I have to shelter in place during this pandemic.

Who’s thankful: Saurabh Jindal

The biggest gift to me has been my wife, Rashmi Agarwal. She has been an unflinching pillar of support as I have gone through many difficult times while trying to build my start-up. She is one of the smartest persons I have met and has an uncanny ability to look at any situation from multiple angles. As an entrepreneur, I sometimes work on my own and with small teams – and with her help I am able to achieve much more than what I would otherwise.

Who’s thankful: Naz Beheshti

I’m grateful for tasty celery again for my daily celery and lemon juice. I was about to take a break from my morning ritual since I was getting really bitter tasting celery at the store. But I persisted and waited in line for it, and now it’s tasty again. I’m grateful for all the farmers and drivers who nourish us with fresh and tasty products!

Who’s thankful: Terrell Strayhorn

I’m really grateful for technology. Cell phones that keep me connected to my family, kids, colleagues, and students during the pandemic. Laptops and iPads that enable video connections via Zoom, provide “mental breaks” to play games or watch videos, and even apps for journaling and writing. Homepods and headphones that let me listen to music as a backdrop to serious activities like writing or analyzing data, but also music as a distraction to the crisis impacting us all. Today, I’m grateful for technology.

As a final item on this list, I wanted to finish with something silly and funny. But that doesn´t mean it’s less true.

Whenever I buy a new 5-pack of socks, I’m always surprised by how nice it feels to put them on for the first time. The feeling of smoothness that comes with putting on a pair of new socks is something I am truly grateful for.

Don’t you agree?

💡 By the way : If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here. 👇

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

There you have it. If you still can’t think of things to be thankful for, then I give up! I hope you now have a good understanding of why you should always be able to remember something to be thankful for. And don’t forget, you can be thankful for silly things that seem insignificant (like putting on a pair of fresh socks!).

Did I miss something that you would have liked to see on this list? Do you want to have your favorite thing to be thankful for listed in this article? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

Essay About Being Grateful: 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Looking at life in a more appreciative way is key to success and happiness. Read this guide if you want to write an essay about being grateful.

Keeping a positive outlook on life can be challenging in a world where we constantly hear bad news. However, it is important to stop focusing on the negative and become more grateful for what we have.

Being grateful is a principal practice to follow to live a healthy, productive life. Even when you feel like nothing good has happened, think of the simpler aspects of life, things as commonplace as having a meal, a bed to sleep on, and even waking up to another day. Being grateful can help you focus your energy on something more positive, lightening your load when life gets too heavy.

If you want to write an essay about being grateful, here are some essay examples for inspiration.

For help with your essay, check our round-up of best essay writing apps .

1. 7 Things That I Am Grateful For. What About You? by Steve Spring

2. how gratitude can help you through hard times by robert emmons, 3. feel and express gratitude by dr. hyder zahed, 4. the importance of being grateful by deborah jepsen, 5. choose to be grateful. it will make you happier. by arthur c. brooks, 1. what is gratitude to you, 2. what are you grateful for, 3. why should you be more grateful, 4. is gratitude still “good” even if you don’t mean it, 5. why has gratitude become such a hot topic.

“I have a lot to be grateful for. If I had been born in another time or place my life might have been very different. I might not have had been blessed with the life I have now. I have an amazing life. It is great to be focused on my goals and trying to improve my life…But, I need to make sure that I am taking some time to be grateful for everything and everyone that I have in my life. If you want to be happy you need to learn to be grateful. What are you grateful for today?”

Spring lists seven things he is grateful for and explains why he is thankful for each. These include his home, food, and, most significantly, the mistakes he has made in the past. He provides excellent insight into why he is grateful for these seemingly basic items and does an excellent job of justifying his points. Ultimately, the takeaway from this article is that while life is not perfect, we always have a lot to be grateful for. Gratitude is a choice.

“Being grateful is a choice, a prevailing attitude that endures and is relatively immune to the gains and losses that flow in and out of our lives. When disaster strikes, gratitude provides a perspective from which we can view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances. Yes, this perspective is hard to achieve—but my research says it is worth the effort.”

This essay reflects on being grateful even when experiencing tough times. It is easy to be grateful when all is well in our lives.

Robert Emmons suggests performing a comparison between good times and bad times. You may then realize that your situation is better than you thought. He also says that rather than thinking about a difficult time or a particular challenge in a negative light, we can think about it in the sense that it has helped us grow, making it something to be grateful for.

Embracing gratitude can be a challenge in itself, but it is ultimately self-serving. Being grateful makes you count your blessings and makes you feel good.

“For, whatever you genuinely feel grateful for, you will have multiply in your life. Think about it, if you gave a gift to another and that person told you, ‘I am so grateful for the gift. I can’t believe how kind you were to give it to me. You have made me so very happy,’ you’d want to give that person another gift. So you could be feeling genuinely appreciated while at the same time bring a little happiness to another.”

Zahed, in his essay, reminds us to be grateful for everything that contributes to our happiness and wellbeing, no matter how small. Similar to Emmons, he also discusses turning sorrow and disaster into something to be grateful for, in a sense. Being grateful is a commitment that we must choose to enhance our lives. It’s all about how you measure your success.

“Gratitude promotes optimism and helps us to develop a more positive outlook. It lets us pause for a moment to reflect on something we have in our life right now instead of always striving for more … the next goal, the new dress, the new toy, the new car, or the house renovation …Gratitude is simply cultivating a genuine appreciation for what we already have.”

From a more scientific perspective, Jepsen discusses the health benefits of gratitude, both psychological and physical. Gratitude makes us more optimistic and helps us reflect on what we have rather than constantly wanting more. She also encourages readers to share their appreciation with others, even through something as simple as a smile.

“Be honest: When was the last time you were grateful for the spots on a trout? More seriously, think of the small, useless things you experience — the smell of fall in the air, the fragment of a song that reminds you of when you were a kid. Give thanks.”

This opinion piece by Arthur C is similar to the other works on this list. Brooks encourages readers to choose gratitude. He says that acting grateful can help you feel grateful and that being grateful can uplift the mood of those around us. Gratitude offers benefits for the individual and the collective. Finally, he says to find gratitude in everything, no matter how small it is.

Essay Prompts About Being Grateful

Essay about being grateful: What is gratitude to you?

Consider how you were introduced to the concept of gratitude as a child. Was it discussed with you, and were you encouraged to express gratitude, or is it something you have come to understand and appreciate in adulthood? How do you personally feel about being grateful? Are there any experiences in which you wish you acted more gratefully? Explore gratitude through your own experience.

As illustrated by Steve Spring, it can be beneficial to list the things you are grateful for and maybe discover a few more you had not considered along the way. Categorize aspects of your life and the parts for which you are grateful. You could then perform a comparison with someone from a different background or country and speculate on how your lists may differ. Finally, consider how quickly a person’s life can change. Should tragedy befall you, would you still be able to find things to be grateful for?

This angle allows you to showcase inspirational examples of the benefits of gratitude. Why is it important to be grateful and maintain a positive outlook on life? And what do people get out of it? The essay examples above offer excellent sources for this prompt. There are measurable benefits.

Some would say it is important to show gratitude even if you don’t mean it sincerely. Others argue that it would be worse to be insincere. What do you think? Does insincerity qualify as gratitude, even if you try to be polite or act kindly to spare someone’s feelings? Or is genuine gratitude something else altogether? If we cannot offer sincere thanks, are we actually being grateful?

In recent times people are talking more about the benefits of gratitude and researching to prove its merits. The popularity of gratitude journaling is vast; you can purchase bespoke gratitude journals to record your thoughts on the topic daily and even take a course to learn how to do it. Investigate where this trend originated and examine how it has been embraced throughout society.

If you’d like to learn more, in this guide our writer explains how to write an argumentative essay .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Essay on Things I Am Grateful

Students are often asked to write an essay on Things I Am Grateful in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Things I Am Grateful

I am grateful for my family. They love and care for me. They are always there to support me in good and bad times. They teach me important things about life. I am thankful for the happy moments we share together.

Good health is a blessing. I am grateful for being healthy. It allows me to do all sorts of things like playing, studying, and helping others. It also saves me from pain and suffering.

I am grateful for the chance to learn. Education opens doors to a brighter future. It helps me understand the world better. It also equips me with skills for life.

I am thankful for my friends. They make my life fun and exciting. They support me when I am down. They are like a second family.

I am grateful for nature. It gives us food, clean air, and beautiful sights. It makes our world a wonderful place to live in. It also teaches us about life and its cycles.

250 Words Essay on Things I Am Grateful

Family love.

The first thing I am grateful for is my family. They are like a big tree that gives me shade on a sunny day. My parents, siblings, and grandparents always support me. They love me a lot and I love them too. Their love is like a warm blanket on a cold night.

Good Health

Another thing I am thankful for is my good health. It lets me run, play, and have fun. It helps me to learn new things at school. Good health is like a strong boat that keeps me safe in the sea of life.

I am also grateful for my education. It is like a key that opens the door to a bright future. My teachers help me to learn new things every day. They guide me like a lighthouse guides a ship in the dark.

I am thankful for my friends. They make my life fun and exciting. We share our joys and sorrows. They are like stars that light up my world.

The last thing I am grateful for is nature. It gives me fresh air, clean water, and beautiful scenery. It is like a big playground where I can enjoy and learn.

In conclusion, I am grateful for many things. They make my life happy and meaningful. I hope to cherish them and make the most of them.

500 Words Essay on Things I Am Grateful

Introduction.

Gratitude is a strong feeling of being thankful to someone or something for the good things they have given you. It’s like a magic key that opens up a world of positivity and happiness. Today, I want to share some of the things I am grateful for in my life.

First, I am grateful for my family. They are my support system, always there to help me when I need it. My parents, who work hard to provide for me, teach me important life lessons and guide me through tough times. My siblings, even though we sometimes fight, are my best friends. They make me laugh, share my joys and sorrows, and teach me the importance of sharing and caring.

Another thing I am grateful for is my health. Good health is a blessing that allows me to do everything I want. It lets me play, study, and enjoy life to the fullest. I am thankful for the food I eat that keeps me healthy, the clean water I drink, and the fresh air I breathe.

I am also grateful for the opportunity to go to school and learn. Education is a powerful tool that helps me understand the world around me. It gives me the skills to solve problems, make decisions, and become a better person. I am thankful for my teachers who guide me, my classmates who help me learn, and the books that open my mind to new ideas.

I am thankful for the beautiful world around me. The bright sun that gives me warmth, the cool breeze that refreshes me, the green trees that give me shade, and the colorful flowers that make me smile. I am grateful for the birds that sing, the rivers that flow, and the mountains that stand tall. Nature teaches me about the beauty of life and the importance of taking care of our planet.

Lastly, I am grateful for the challenges I face. They might be tough and sometimes make me feel sad, but they help me grow. Challenges teach me to be strong, to never give up, and to believe in myself. They make me realize that I can do anything if I try hard and stay positive.

In conclusion, there are many things I am grateful for. My family, health, education, nature, and the challenges I face. These things make me who I am and fill my life with joy and meaning. I believe that being grateful makes us happier and more positive. So, let’s always remember to be thankful for the good things in our life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Things
Essay on Psychology On Depression
Essay on Psychology As Science

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

How Gratitude Can Help You Through Hard Times

A decade’s worth of research on gratitude has shown me that when life is going well, gratitude allows us to celebrate and magnify the goodness. But what about when life goes badly? In the midst of the economic maelstrom that has gripped our country, I have often been asked if people can—or even should—feel grateful under such dire circumstances.

My response is that not only will a grateful attitude help—it is essential . In fact, it is precisely under crisis conditions when we have the most to gain by a grateful perspective on life. In the face of demoralization, gratitude has the power to energize. In the face of brokenness, gratitude has the power to heal. In the face of despair, gratitude has the power to bring hope. In other words, gratitude can help us cope with hard times.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that gratitude will come easily or naturally in a crisis. It’s easy to feel grateful for the good things. No one “feels” grateful that they have lost a job or a home or good health or has taken a devastating hit on their retirement portfolio.

But it is vital to make a distinction between feeling grateful and being grateful. We don’t have total control over our emotions. We cannot easily will ourselves to feel grateful, less depressed, or happy. Feelings follow from the way we look at the world, thoughts we have about the way things are, the way things should be, and the distance between these two points.

But being grateful is a choice, a prevailing attitude that endures and is relatively immune to the gains and losses that flow in and out of our lives. When disaster strikes, gratitude provides a perspective from which we can view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances. Yes, this perspective is hard to achieve—but my research says it is worth the effort.

Remember the bad

Trials and suffering can actually refine and deepen gratefulness if we allow them to show us not to take things for granted. Our national holiday of gratitude, Thanksgiving, was born and grew out of hard times. The first Thanksgiving took place after nearly half the pilgrims died from a rough winter and year. It became a national holiday in 1863 in the middle of the Civil War and was moved to its current date in the 1930s following the Depression.

Why? Well, when times are good, people take prosperity for granted and begin to believe that they are invulnerable. In times of uncertainty, though, people realize how powerless they are to control their own destiny. If you begin to see that everything you have, everything you have counted on, may be taken away, it becomes much harder to take it for granted.

The Gratitude Project

What if we didn't take good things for granted? Learn how gratitude can lead to a better life—and a better world—in this new GGSC book.

So crisis can make us more grateful—but research says gratitude also helps us cope with crisis. Consciously cultivating an attitude of gratitude builds up a sort of psychological immune system that can cushion us when we fall. There is scientific evidence that grateful people are more resilient to stress, whether minor everyday hassles or major personal upheavals. The contrast between suffering and redemption serves as the basis for one of my tips for practicing gratitude: remember the bad.

It works this way: Think of the worst times in your life, your sorrows, your losses, your sadness—and then remember that here you are, able to remember them, that you made it through the worst times of your life, you got through the trauma, you got through the trial, you endured the temptation, you survived the bad relationship, you’re making your way out of the dark. Remember the bad things, then look to see where you are now.

This process of remembering how difficult life used to be and how far we have come sets up an explicit contrast that is fertile ground for gratefulness. Our minds think in terms of counterfactuals—mental comparisons we make between the way things are and how things might have been different. Contrasting the present with negative times in the past can make us feel happier (or at least less unhappy) and enhance our overall sense of well-being. This opens the door to coping gratefully.

Try this little exercise. First, think about one of the unhappiest events you have experienced. How often do you find yourself thinking about this event today? Does the contrast with the present make you feel grateful and pleased? Do you realize your current life situation is not as bad as it could be? Try to realize and appreciate just how much better your life is now. The point is not to ignore or forget the past but to develop a fruitful frame of reference in the present from which to view experiences and events.

There’s another way to foster gratitude: confront your own mortality. In a recent study, researchers asked participants to imagine a scenario where they are trapped in a burning high rise, overcome by smoke, and killed. This resulted in a substantial increase in gratitude levels, as researchers discovered when they compared this group to two control conditions who were not compelled to imagine their own deaths.

In these ways, remembering the bad can help us to appreciate the good. As the German theologian and Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.” We know that gratitude enhances happiness, but why? Gratitude maximizes happiness in multiple ways, and one reason is that it helps us reframe memories of unpleasant events in a way that decreases their unpleasant emotional impact. This implies that grateful coping entails looking for positive consequences of negative events. For example, grateful coping might involve seeing how a stressful event has shaped who we are today and has prompted us to reevaluate what is really important in life.

Reframing disaster

To say that gratitude is a helpful strategy to handle hurt feelings does not mean that we should try to ignore or deny suffering and pain.

The field of positive psychology has at times been criticized for failing to acknowledge the value of negative emotions. Barbara Held of Bowdoin College in Maine, for example, contends that positive psychology has been too negative about negativity and too positive about positivity. To deny that life has its share of disappointments, frustrations, losses, hurts, setbacks, and sadness would be unrealistic and untenable. Life is suffering. No amount of positive thinking exercises will change this truth.

So telling people simply to buck up, count their blessings, and remember how much they still have to be grateful for can certainly do much harm. Processing a life experience through a grateful lens does not mean denying negativity. It is not a form of superficial happiology. Instead, it means realizing the power you have to transform an obstacle into an opportunity. It means reframing a loss into a potential gain, recasting negativity into positive channels for gratitude.

A growing body of research has examined how grateful recasting works. In a study conducted at Eastern Washington University, participants were randomly assigned to one of three writing groups that would recall and report on an unpleasant open memory—a loss, a betrayal, victimization, or some other personally upsetting experience. The first group wrote for 20 minutes on issues that were irrelevant to their open memory. The second wrote about their experience pertaining to their open memory.

Researchers asked the third group to focus on the positive aspects of a difficult experience—and discover what about it might now make them feel grateful. Results showed that they demonstrated more closure and less unpleasant emotional impact than participants who just wrote about the experience without being prompted to see ways it might be redeemed with gratitude. Participants were never told not to think about the negative aspects of the experience or to deny or ignore the pain. Moreover, participants who found reasons to be grateful demonstrated fewer intrusive memories, such as wondering why it happened, whether it could have been prevented, or if they believed they caused it to happen. Thinking gratefully, this study showed, can help heal troubling memories and in a sense redeem them—a result echoed in many other studies.

Some years ago, I asked people with debilitating physical illnesses to compose a narrative concerning a time when they felt a deep sense of gratitude to someone or for something. I asked them to let themselves re-create that experience in their minds so that they could feel the emotions as if they had transported themselves back in time to the event itself. I also had them reflect on what they felt in that situation and how they expressed those feelings. In the face of progressive diseases, people often find life extremely challenging, painful, and frustrating. I wondered whether it would even be possible for them to find anything to be grateful about. For many of them, life revolved around visits to the pain clinic and pharmacy. I would not have been at all surprised if resentment overshadowed gratefulness.

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As it turned out, most respondents had trouble settling on a specific instance—they simply had so much in their lives that they were grateful for. I was struck by the profound depth of feeling that they conveyed in their essays, and by the apparent life-transforming power of gratitude in many of their lives.

It was evident from reading these narrative accounts that (1) gratitude can be an overwhelmingly intense feeling, (2) gratitude for gifts that others easily overlook most can be the most powerful and frequent form of thankfulness, and (3) gratitude can be chosen in spite of one’s situation or circumstances. I was also struck by the redemptive twist that occurred in nearly half of these narratives: out of something bad (suffering, adversity, affliction) came something good (new life or new opportunities) for which the person felt profoundly grateful.

If you are troubled by an open memory or a past unpleasant experience, you might consider trying to reframe how you think about it using the language of thankfulness. The unpleasant experiences in our lives don’t have to be of the traumatic variety in order for us to gratefully benefit from them. Whether it is a large or small event, here are some additional questions to ask yourself:

What lessons did the experience teach me?
Can I find ways to be thankful for what happened to me now even though I was not at the time it happened?
What ability did the experience draw out of me that surprised me?
How am I now more the person I want to be because of it? Have my negative feelings about the experience limited or prevented my ability to feel gratitude in the time since it occurred?
Has the experience removed a personal obstacle that previously prevented me from feeling grateful?

Remember, your goal is not to relive the experience but rather to get a new perspective on it. Simply rehearsing an upsetting event makes us feel worse about it. That is why catharsis has rarely been effective. Emotional venting without accompanying insight does not produce change. No amount of writing about the event will help unless you are able to take a fresh, redemptive perspective on it. This is an advantage that grateful people have—and it is a skill that anyone can learn.

About the Author

Robert Emmons

University of california, davis.

Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. , is the world's leading scientific expert on gratitude. He is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and the founding editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology . He is the author of the books Gratitude Works!: A 21-Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity and Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier .

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15 Fabulous Gratitude Writing Prompts

by Suzanne Davis | Jan 16, 2019 | Writing Prompts

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings…

turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings” –William Arthur Ward.

Gratitude lets you see wonders in life— even when you think life is horrible . On days when you think “what else can wrong?” writing about what you’re thankful for helps you heal. And when life is wonderful a gratitude journal reminds you who helped you, supported you, and encouraged you.

I want to express my thoughts of thankfulness on paper. Writing makes things more permanent than speaking them. Yet, I can’t always come up with what I am thankful for each day. I rely on gratitude writing prompts to inspire me. Here are 15 excellent journal topics to help you write what you are thankful for.

So, grab a notebook or journal, and select one to get you started!

#1 Describe your favorite moment of the day.

What was it and why is it your favorite moment? When we focus on small moments, we recognize the importance of each day. Think about the day you are having now. What was special to you?

#2 Describe your favorite person and list all of that person’s good qualities.

Write about one or more of those qualities. You can write one journal entry for each quality you like about that person. This writing prompt pushes you to not take people for granted. It helps you appreciate those around you even more.

#3 Write about a random act of kindness from another person.

These could be acts of kindness from a friend, family member, or even a stranger. Don’t just consider grand actions, but these might be small things too, such as a person letting you go ahead of them in a waiting line . Bonus points: Don’t just write about it, but do an act of kindness.

#4 Write about something that cheers you up when you feel down.

Is there a person, animal, thing or something you do that cheers you up on a bad day? Describe it in your journal, and write about why or how it makes you feel better.

#5 List 5 things you are grateful for today.

It doesn’t matter if these are small things. List them. I learned about this idea from an old episode of Oprah and used it to help me at the lowest part of my life. This prompt made me recognize all that is positive. Of course, my pets Cuddles and Dylan were always on that list, but I found a lot of other things to add too. Bonus points: Write 6 or more things you are grateful for today.

#6 Remember a success you had and write a thank-you speech describing who helped you reach it.

Imagine you received an award, who would you say helped you reach that goal ? How did it come about, and what contributed to your success? Bonus points: After writing your speech, share it with the people who helped you succeed.

#7 Write about a favorite hobby.

Why do you love it? How does it make you feel? Describe your hobby and what makes it wonderful and how it is possible that you can do it. Bonus points: Go and enjoy your hobby.

#8 Write about something you are grateful for with your work or personal life.

I like this prompt because it helps you realize something that is good about work even if you don’t like your job. Or, it helps you see something you can be thankful for in your personal life even if you feel like you are struggling.

#9 Write about something you accomplished today, and how you feel now .

Do you have a lot of things on your to-do list? Well, how do feel when you cross those items off? Write about that and be thankful for anyone or anything that helped you finish what you wanted to do.

#10 Write about something someone else did to make you happy.

It doesn’t have to be a huge thing someone else did. It can be something small. You begin to see the impact of little things. For example, it might be that someone else lent you a pencil for class. It seems a tiny favor, but think of its effect. What if you didn’t have anything to write with it? How would you take notes in class?

#11 Write about something you did to make someone happy today.

This prompt asks you to see what good you do (and if you can’t come up with something you need to work on caring for others). Describe how what you did made another person feel, laugh or smile. Be thankful that you could reach out and make someone else feel joy for a moment, a day, a week, or longer.

#12 Write about a pet and what makes him/her special.

This may seem strange, and if you don’t have a pet forget this prompt. However, animals keep us company, comfort us, and adore us no matter what. They don’t judge you by grades, work, income, style, or appearance. Pets love us unconditionally. They also have distinct personalities and traits. What makes your pet special? How does your pet make you feel?

#13 One of the best experiences of my life was… I am grateful for that experience because…

What is something wonderful that happened to you and why do you feel that way about it? I discovered this writing prompt in a blog post called, “Writing Prompts for Giving Thanks” on the website Writing Forward https://www.writingforward.com/writing-prompts/journal-prompts/gratitude-journal-prompts .

#14 List at least 10 things you like about yourself. Write a journal entry for each of those things.

Describe 10 things you love about you, and how you are grateful for each of those things. For instance, if you like that you’re confident, be thankful that you have that gift. Also, who or what helped you become confident? Another great aspect of this prompt is that you have ten days of ideas for your journal.

#15 Write about something good you saw in your community.

Look at what is happening in your local area. Are there volunteers who help out in a city, town, school, or college? Is there a new program that helps people? Are people doing something that makes a difference? Write about it and the impact it has on you. Does it make you feel grateful or inspire you? Bonus points: Volunteer.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Why do I keep a gratitude journal? It calms me when I’m frazzled, stressed, and confused. It can do the same for you too. Write and reflect on all the things you are thankful for each day and you’ll experience more peace in life. Create space and time to keep a journal and try one of these gratitude writing prompts.

Comment below with what you are grateful for this year.

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Things to Be Thankful For

Not sure what to be grateful for here are some ideas..

Posted May 31, 2021 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

Gratitude can improve our relationships and make us feel good too.
Noticing things that we're thankful for in our daily lives—from a beautiful sunrise to good health and a loving family—can boost our well-being.
Other strategies for being more thankful include writing gratitude notes or starting a gratitude journal.

Do you want to express thankfulness for the people, things, and experiences in your life? That's great! Gratitude can not only help us form closer, more satisfying bonds with others, but it feels good too. So in this article, we'll give you a list of things to be thankful for in different areas of your life.

What is thankfulness?

Gratitude—or thankfulness—is often considered to be a positive emotion (Chipperfield, Perry, & Weiner, 2003). Expressing and experiencing thankfulness is strongly linked with happiness and well-being (Bono, Emmons, & McCullough, 2004). In short, being thankful feels good and is good for us.

But it's not always easy to think of things to be thankful for. So here's a list of ideas to get you started.

Things to be thankful for today

Having air to breathe
The feeling of the sun
The smell of flowers, fresh-cut grass, or trees
The people we have in our lives
That our parents gave us this life
To be alive
For a beautiful sunrise
For the beach
For each new day
For opportunities
For the opportunity to learn from mistakes
That today is probably not the worst day
For a hot cup of tea or coffee
For the hard times, because they will help us appreciate the good times
For failure, because it makes us stronger
To be able to think our own thoughts
For the body—it carries us through this life
To be able to learn new things
To have a place to sleep at night
For time to experience life
For simply existing
That I will get to live today and hopefully tomorrow, too
For health, even though it may not be perfect

More tools to help you with thankfulness

In one study, participants were asked to write down three good things each day (and note down their causes). They did this for just one week. The results showed that this strategy made them happier after that week and even 6 months later (Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005). This suggests that noting the good things—and perhaps being thankful for them—has long-term, positive impacts on our happiness. Other strategies can be to write gratitude notes or start a gratitude journal .

Taking a few minutes each day to practice thankfulness can be a cool and fun way to boost happiness. Hopefully, you got some ideas here that will help you think of even more things to be thankful for.

This post was adapted from an article published at The Berkeley Well-Being Institute .

Chipperfield, J. G., Perry, R. P., & Weiner, B. (2003). Discrete emotions in later life. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 58(1), P23-P34.

Bono, G., Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2004). Gratitude in practice and the practice of gratitude. Positive psychology in practice, 464-481.

Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410.

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

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How to Express Gratitude to Others: 19 Examples & Ideas

How did that moment make you and that person feel?

Or maybe you can remember a time someone gave you something, something you didn’t buy or ask for – just a token of their appreciation? It felt pretty good, didn’t it?

This article will look at the ways we can best express our gratitude, the benefits of expressing the gratitude we feel towards others, and how you can practice the act of gratitude whilst learning to appreciate the positive emotions that accompany it.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Gratitude Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients connect to more positive emotions and enjoy the benefits of gratitude.

This Article Contains:

How can we best express gratitude towards others, the benefits of expressing gratitude for life and others, 7 ways to express thanks and gratitude to friends, teachers, and parents, what are gratitude gifts (incl. ideas), what is a gratitude challenge, 7 tips for setting a gratitude challenge, letter of gratitude ideas for thanking parents, more ideas for gratitude emails and posts, 5 gratitude stories, inspiring reflections for gratitude, 5 ideas for expressing everyday gratitude, designing a gratitude bulletin board at work, make a gratitude visit, when is gratitude day (it’s not just thanksgiving), about gratitude month.

A Take Home Message

“We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love.”

Mother Teresa

‘Gratitude’ is a multi-layered, complex concept with multiple definitions . It can be regarded at many levels of analysis ranging from momentary affect to long-term dispositions (McCullough, 2004), as a general state of thankfulness and/or appreciation (Sansone & Sansone, 2010), and as the recognition and appreciation of an altruistic gift (Emmons, 2004).

There is a wealth of evidence reflecting on the benefits we derive from expressing gratitude and appreciation; such expressions evoke an array of psychological, social, and physical benefits that promote our psychological, social and physiological health (Wood, Froh, & Geraghty, 2010).

“There is no duty more indispensable than that of returning a kindness”

Gratitude can have a lasting positive impact if we work towards incorporating it into our daily lives.

The expression of gratitude is a self-promoting exercise, grateful people are found to be more likely to respond with gratitude to a wider range of scenarios and recognize the beneficence on the part of others.

This leads to a positive, self-renewing, feedback loop – the more gratitude we display, the more our subjective wellbeing and resistance to negativity increases, and the more grateful we are likely to be (Emmons & Stern, 2013).

Actions that display gratitude are more valuable than solely feeling gratitude towards others (Lambert, Clark, Durtschi, Fincham, & Graham, 2010). For this very reason, it’s important to recognize the methods by which we can express gratitude effectively and exercise them as and when the situation warrants.

How we choose to express gratitude can depend significantly on the social context – taking a partner to their favorite restaurant to thank them for their support may be a completely suitable practice, but would not be a measured expression of gratitude towards, say, a stranger who held open a door.

Below are just a few ways in which you can express gratitude to others – the list is by no means definitive but is a starting point for finding methods of expressing your thanks.

Random acts of kindness. Random acts of kindness can yield substantial reward in terms of subjective wellbeing (Rowland & Curry, 2019). If you see a stranger struggling under a heavy load of shopping, offer a hand. Donate unwanted clothes to charity. Help someone lost with directions. The list is nigh inexhaustible!
Be respectful. Maintain standards of etiquette in your day-to-day interactions with strangers. Just because you don’t know them, it doesn’t mean you should withhold the common courtesy you expect yourself. Hold the door open, respect their space, and be mindful of how your actions impact them.
Tip your server. Going to the effort to make your experience a positive one, service-industry employees are often unsung heroes. In a fast-paced service environment, stopping a server to read them a gratitude letter isn’t likely to be received well but dropping a tip in the jar (if you can afford to) lets the staff know you’re thankful for their efforts.
Volunteer in your community. Volunteering is not only a great way to connect with others and gain experience, it has also been found to increase subjective wellbeing and pose significant health benefits. Thoits and Hewitt (2001) found volunteer work to have a positive impact on elements of personal wellbeing. Those who undertook volunteering opportunities reported increased levels of happiness, life satisfaction , self-esteem, sense of control over life, physical health and lower levels of depression.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

Expressing gratitude can lead to significant increases in subjective, psychological, spiritual, and physical wellbeing; the benefits of expressing gratitude are many.

Hill, Allemand, and Roberts (2013) postulated that grateful individuals are better able to form social bonds, utilize coping skills to defer stress, maintain positive affect, and are more creative in problem solving. Bartlett, Condon, Cruz, Baumann, and Desteno (2012) suggested gratitude is related to increases in relationship satisfaction, social affiliation, and facilitates socially inclusive behaviors, even when those actions come at a personal cost to oneself.

Social benefits

The expression of gratitude plays a pivotal role in building and maintaining social relationships. Research into the role of gratitude in real, ongoing, relationships looked at naturally occurring gratitude in college sororities during a week of anonymous gift-giving from existing members to new members (Little Sisters).

Little Sisters’ gratitude was found to be a predictor of their feelings of integration within the sorority and indicated gratitude is about more than repaying benefits; it is about building relationships and aiding the integration and cooperation of group members.

Gratitude serves the social function of promoting relationships with others who are responsive to our likes and dislikes, our needs and preferences, helping us get through difficult times and flourish in good times (Algoe, Haidt & Gable, 2008).

Additionally, expressions of gratitude also increase prosocial behavior (behaviors that are intended to benefit others) by enabling individuals to feel social worth and support while simultaneously reducing their feelings of uncertainty about whether they can help effectively (Grant & Gino, 2010).

Experiencing gratitude is one component that contributes to the fostering of positive feelings, contributing to one’s overall sense of wellbeing. Emmons and McCullough (2003) examined the emotional benefits of gratitude and the link to wellbeing. Participant groups kept a daily or weekly journal under three experimental conditions: ‘negative life events’, ‘things I am grateful for’ and ‘neutral life events’.

Across the study conditions, the gratitude sub-sample consistently showed higher self-reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, attentiveness, determination and energy in comparison with the other two study groups.

Additionally, gratitude is connected to our self-esteem – Kong, Ding, and Zhao (2015) revealed a significant path from gratitude to overall life satisfaction through social support and self-esteem among undergraduate students.

Gratitude expression is uniquely important to psychological wellbeing and linked to enhanced positive emotions, resilience, better coping skills, and an improved ability to manage stress, and an increase in happiness (Sansone & Sansone, 2010. Wood, Joseph, & Maltby, 2009).

Happiness is subjective; the essence of what it means to be happy will almost certainly differ depending on who you ask. What is more absolute is that we all want to be happy regardless of what our own definitions may be.

Peterson, Park, and Seligman (2005) suggested the tendency to pursue happiness via the route of gratitude is a way to live ‘the good life’. This was compounded by Lashani, Shaeiri, Asghari-Moghadam, & Golzari, (2012) who concluded that gratitude can increase positive affectivity, happiness and optimism.

Physical health benefits

Gratitude expression correlates positively with self-reported physical health and, through the mediation of psychological health, increases healthy activities and willingness to seek help for health concerns (Hill, Allemand, & Roberts, 2013).

Download 3 Free Gratitude Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you or your clients with tools to build daily gratitude habits, express more appreciation toward others, and experience more positive emotions in everyday life.

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When you think about expressing gratitude and thanks, how does it make you feel? Embarrassed? Awkward? You are not alone. For some, expressing gratitude does not come easily, even to those people who mean the most to us. Whether it’s a friend, teacher, or parent, the positive impact a little bit of gratitude can have is immense for both parties.

It is often the simplest of gestures that speak volumes in showing your gratitude. We all have people in our lives who inspire us and generally just make life better by being in it; here we will look at ways to express gratitude to those who should really hear it.

1. Say the words!

Words are powerful and the simplest, most direct, way to express gratitude to the people we may take for granted. Given proximity, a verbal expression of your appreciation in person is effective – if you can’t do it in person, make the phone call and brighten somebody’s day.

2. Write a gratitude letter or note

Spend some time thinking about what you appreciate most about your friends, teacher, or parents and draft a letter by hand, expressing your sentiments. While recognizing your gratitude is important – just writing it down is enough to make you feel warm inside – actually reading the letter out loud is worth so much more.

Maybe jumping in with a full gratitude letter is too big a first step for you to make, that’s OK! Why not try a thank you note in a thoughtfully selected or handmade card? While writing thank you notes is a bit of a lost art; it takes almost no time at all but is a sincere expression of gratitude.

3. Show gratitude through creative expression

We can’t all be talented artists, but it really is the thought and effort put in that counts. Often homemade gifts mean the most, a little bit of creativity goes a long way.

4. Give a gratitude gift

When choosing a gift aimed specifically at expressing gratitude, opt for meaningful over monetary value. Gratitude in itself is a gift but giving a thoughtful, personal gift that can be kept, displayed and treasured is something really special.

5. Express your appreciation face to face with a gratitude visit

While expressing gratitude in person might be a big step for some, the gesture of going out of your way to tell someone how much you appreciate them is enough for everyone to feel the benefits. If you can’t make the visit in person, send a personalized video message.

6. Ask how they are (and listen to their response!)

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed; the simple act of actively listening to your loved ones can be an effective way to show you value them. Put down your phone, remain attentive and let them steer the conversation.

7. Make a gratitude scrapbook

If you are thinking of how to show appreciation for a teacher, try making your own scrapbook or even better, ask your entire class to get involved, each student can add a page of gratitude then put it all together in a book. Make one for your friend or parents and fill it with photographs of special moments over the years.

Friend, teachers and parents are probably the people we’re most grateful for but show least gratitude towards. Expressing gratitude is personal to you – you know the person best, think about what would have the most value to them.

Gift-giving can be viewed as a reciprocal practice, whereby responding with gratitude after receiving some ‘benefit’ is a moral obligation (Watkins, Scheer, Ovnicek, & Kolts, 2006).

However, we shouldn’t think of it as a ‘debt of gratitude’, rather as a meaningful way to cultivate social support, which is beneficial for both individuals and society as a whole.

A gratitude gift might be something of material value but it does not need to be, a thoughtful and personal show of gratitude can be worth its weight in gold.

Here we will look at some ideas for gratitude gifts that will beautifully express just how thankful you are.

A gift that can be kept and treasured will always remind them of the positive emotions they experienced when it was received.

Handmade gifts:

Frame a picture – find a meaningful photograph that evokes positive memories for you and more importantly the person who is the focus of your gratitude.
Gift a packet of seeds, flowers from your garden, or a plant and every time they tend to them they will remember you for this simple act of gratitude – you don’t have to spend a lot of money to show someone how much you appreciate them.
Bring over lunch – preparing meals, especially if you’re stressed and overworked, can be a chore. Don’t you know someone who’d be delighted if you’d surprise them with a tasty lunch?
A journal – a journal can be a beautiful gift, the recipient can either fill it with their own feeling of gratitude and continue the gratitude cycle or as a normal journal for their thoughts and musings. Each time they pick it up they will know that you are grateful to have them in your life.
A little jar full of thanks – fill jar with gratitude notes and that special person can read one a day (or whenever they feel like they need a boost) – imagine starting each day knowing you are appreciated.
A gift of encouragement – maybe the object of your appreciation has started a new hobby or enjoys painting, why not gift them that brush they’ve had their eye on or another related item that they’ll really appreciate.
A playlist of their favorite songs or music that means something to both of you and evokes the very best memories you have together.
52 gratitude cards – this one might take some time and effort, but it really is the gift that keeps giving – even when you aren’t there in person. They can open up a card each week for an entire year!

Gifts to buy:

Gift a book – if that person is an avid reader, buy a copy of their favorite book, you can take this a step further and write a note of appreciation on one of the pages, or tuck your gratitude letter between the pages. (See this list of best gratitude books for ideas!)
Find out their favorite restaurant or place to shop and get them a gift card to indulge.
Give them tickets to see the latest movie , their favorite sports team, or a ballet/opera/musical.
A scented candle with their favorite fragrance, whether it’s a neighbor, a coworker, a friend or loved one who could use a lift, this is a wonderful way to show your gratitude for all this person means to you.
A board game or jigsaw you can complete/play together – knowing that you want to spend time with them is a great way to make someone feel appreciated.

People who cultivate and consciously participate in gratitude are more patient, make better decisions, develop better relationships and generally feel more positive and optimistic about their lives than those who do not (Emmons & Stern, 2013).

If you are thinking about ways you can gain more enjoyment from life, a good starting point to propel you into a grateful way of life is a 21 day gratitude challenge (or longer if you so choose!).

The gratitude challenge helps cultivate gratitude by encouraging us to actively seek out all the things that are good in life and practice the expression of appreciation.

A Meaningful Challenge For You

There are countless versions of the gratitude challenge, meaning there is something to suit everyone – some are more structured, giving you specific exercises to follow each day , others are far less so. While each version is different from the next, they all share the same idea; every day for three weeks, focus on the things or people you are grateful to have in your life, and then express your gratitude for them.

If the idea of practicing gratitude is completely new to you, a more structured challenge can help you to negotiate the initial uncertain stage and prompt you to start really paying attention to the world around you. The gratitude challenge helps cultivate a state of mindfulness and appreciation for the simple things and to recognize the positive aspects of even the most difficult and challenging situations.

Your challenge could include gratitude meditation and yoga, both have been found to promote a tendency towards gratitude as a quality of mindfulness and have been found to produce elevated experiences of love and thankfulness (Shapiro, Schwartz, & Santerre, 2002).

Taking It Further

Why stop at 21 days? Once you have experienced the positive emotions that go hand in hand with the challenge don’t be surprised if you want to continue long after the 3 weeks are up.

The ultimate goal of the gratitude challenge is to make people happier and to gain more enjoyment from life by consciously developing gratitude. Really, there is no right or wrong way to take part in a gratitude challenge, simply begin and discover what comes naturally to you.

We are all guilty of letting the stresses of daily life get in the way of recognizing and expressing gratitude, we often forget to stop and think about the things we are most grateful for. While the journey to gratefulness may not happen overnight, these tips will help focus your attention on setting your own personal gratitude challenge.

The first moments of the day are often when we feel most focused before the tasks of the day take their toll. Try introducing a morning gratitude ritual that allows you to start the day grounded in gratitude. This could be as simple as taking a few moments to focus on the positive, ask yourself, ‘what am I grateful for today?’
Appreciate the small things; it’s not just about the big stuff. Write a list that is unique to you and where you are in your life right now. This can include family, friends, health, your community – even the weather!
Develop your own mindfulness session and practice ‘being in the moment’, focus your attention on the ways that life is good right now rather than thinking too much about the future. The trick is to picture it in your mind and immerse yourself in the feeling of gratitude.
Appreciate the good and the bad – while much of the gratitude challenge is about positive experiences, thinking about difficult situations can really help you to appreciate the good.
Have a daily recap – spend some time writing down the things you are grateful for before going to bed. Writing down all those thoughts is a good way to keep track of the positives in your life and you can look back on them at any time.
Download an app – there are multiple gratitude challenge apps available that help focus your attention, record your appreciation and send friendly reminders to encourage your gratitude development.
Use a gratitude challenge calendar – many of these have daily prompts to help focus your mind on all the things you might not even consider.

How often do we thank our parents for everything they’ve done for us? It can be easy to take the guidance, support and love of parents for granted. Why not take the time to brainstorm the things you are grateful for and why you value them so much, then put pen to paper.

To help you get started, here are some letter of gratitude ideas for thanking parents.

Remember specifics – recalling a specific memory that fills you with appreciation is much more effective than a general ‘Thank You’. Think of the little things, from teaching you to tie your laces to reading bedtime stories – the fact that you remember these small moments will mean so much.
Include inspirational quotes that reflect your feelings of gratitude.
Think of some prompts to help guide your writing, like ‘I always remember when you…’, ‘I am so thankful for…’ and ‘I am inspired by your…’
Think of the life lessons they’ve taught you – how have these impacted you?
Thanking your parents for their time – did your parents drive you to practice every weekend? Or stand at the sidelines cheering you on? Tell them how much it meant and still means to you.
The way they make you feel, both now and as a child, it may seem obvious but relaying just how special your parents make you feel is something they have likely never heard before.
Finish off by reiterating just how grateful you are.

The important thing is to be sincere and make it personal, only you know what your parents will value hearing the most.

An experiment in gratitude – Participant

In today’s modern world, technology allows us to take our expressions of gratitude to the global stage by way of email or even social media posts. These avenues may be preferred if you aren’t sure when you will see the individual or if you wish to express gratitude to a group, wherein writing individual letters or emails may not be a practical or timely approach.

It’s tempting to ramble on when writing an email, especially when the subject matter may prompt some self-consciousness – we have a tendency to dance around the subject of import. A gratitude email doesn’t need to be long, focus on succinct sincerity and always proofread before hitting ‘send’ as typos can diminish the sentiment behind the gesture.

The sample below is just to give you an example of a short gratitude email – every situation will vary. Remember to be specific and avoid generalized statements, ‘Thanks for all your help putting together the [Client name] project’ , is better than ‘Thanks for all your help’ .

Include how their actions helped you, or in the case of a workplace, how their actions impacted positively on a business deliverable.

Subject: Thank you! Dear Tommy I just wanted to write you a quick email to say thank you very much for all your help putting together last week’s client proposal I really appreciate the hard work you put into getting the graphics just right and the clients seemed equally impressed when we pitched this morning. Keep up the great work and I look forward to working closely with you on future projects. Many thanks, John

You may choose to opt for a social media post if want to express gratitude to a large group. Connecting via social media removes any geographical restrictions while also allowing you to address a wider audience. The private message function found on most social media platforms also provides an avenue to connect directly if you’d rather not post publicly.

If it’s a friend, remember to drop the formality you may feel compelled to include in workplace expressions.

The examples below can be used to get you thinking about how to express gratitude on social media either directly or via a public post.

Direct message: You’re the best! Thanks so much for giving me a lift yesterday; I don’t know what I’d have done without you! Post: So thankful to all my wonderful friends who helped me moving house. I really couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Social media also represents a novel arena in which to record daily gratitude posts. Remember, the expression itself will promote subjective wellbeing; your expressions need not be individual or even group-directed.

An example could be ‘Today I’m grateful for caffeine, bringer of life, and for my parents who looked after the kids last night so I could get a decent night’s sleep!’

You can even include a prompt such as ‘Let me know what you’re grateful for’ to encourage those that see your post to engage with it positively – every time you get a notification of a like or comment you’re revisiting and reinforcing the positivity that expressing gratitude yields.

Related: The 34 Best TED Talks And Videos on The Power of Gratitude

The following links can help you access stories about gratitude… enjoy.

In this story on Forbes.com, Homayun relays how reading John Krilak’s book called ‘A Simple Act of Gratitude’ helped him to cope with his life following the sudden death of his father. The book inspired him to think about the people he should thank, and subsequently, he wrote thank-you notes to these people.
This website gives some background information about gratitude, which is interesting. It also contains links to three stories about gratitude – Aesop’s “ Androcles and the Lion ”, a folktale from Japan called “ The Grateful Crane” and “ King Midas and the Golden Touch”.
This article , appearing in the Reader’s Digest, is an inspiring story about a teacher’s experience of setting her class a task in which they reflected upon what they had to be thankful for.
This is essentially a children’s story, however reading “ An Octopus in Trouble ” is a heart-warming way to capture the power of gratitude in just a few minutes.

In an ideal world the things we are most grateful for would always be at the front of our minds, unfortunately that isn’t always the case. But all is not lost! Sometimes all we need are some gentle reminders to guide our thoughts in the right direction.

If this sounds like you, the following inspiring reflections for gratitude will help focus your attention on your own feelings and encourage you to think about some of the insights others have had on the concept.

Inspiring Reflections On Gratitude:

Think of a time when someone was kind to you, what emotions did you experience? Take 60 seconds to feel your gratitude.
Ask 3 other people what they are grateful for.
Take a walk and use the time to clear your mind, take some deep breaths and think about the things around you that make your feel grateful. What are you grateful for in nature?
What memory are you grateful for? Why are you grateful for that experience?
What challenge in your life are you grateful for?
What small thing that happened today are you grateful for?
Take a moment to consider the people around you, what makes you feel grateful to have them in your life?
Think about why you want to experience and express gratitude, what benefits mean the most to you?
Think about how expressing more gratitude has positively impacted you.

Inspiring quotes on gratitude:

“It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.”

David Steindl-Rast

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

Robert Brault

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Melody Beattie

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

Albert Schweitzer

Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.”

Henri Frederic Amiel

The expression of gratitude is an exercise in positive psychology and like all exercises, repetition and practice make perfect. Ingratitude is the “essence of vileness,” wrote the philosopher Immanuel Kant while David Hume opined that ingratitude is:

“the most horrible and unnatural crime that a person is capable of committing.”

By exercising methods of expressing everyday gratitude you not only reap the rewards in terms of promoting a positive mental state while reducing negativity, but also get into the habit of focusing on the positive – in time it can become second nature.

The following are five simple ways that we can embed the expression of gratitude into our daily routines:

Keep a gratitude journal. Amid the humdrum and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to forget the small acts of kindness we receive. By mentally revisiting and recording these events, we reinforce the positive impact and can revisit it to remind ourselves of how much we have to be thankful for and, in turn, find expressing gratitude a more natural response.
Remember to express your gratitude in person. This may seem an obvious one but it’s easy to forget to verbalize or otherwise show your appreciation to friends, colleagues or clients in the day-to-day. Expressions don’t have to be extravagant, simply stopping for a moment to let someone know you are grateful helps foster an environment of gratitude and is another simple way to get into the habit of expressing everyday gratitude.
Be respectful and treat others with the level of courtesy you would like to receive. As children we’re taught to treat those around us how we would like to be treated. This mantra can serve you well in your day to day expressions of gratitude. While we can express gratitude through directly telling someone we are thankful, how we conduct ourselves and our actions provide another avenue for the expression of gratitude.
Remember to smile, be patient, listen and express kindness whenever possible. Next time you’re heading on the coffee run, offer to bring back drinks for your colleagues – this lets them know you value them and chances are next time they’re on the coffee dash they’ll return the favor and you can be on the receiving end of some gratitude.
Try not to complain. We have a tendency to focus on the negative; we’re evolutionarily hardwired to focus on the events which yielded negative outcomes so we can avoid them in future (Seligman, 2012). Every time we complain we’re reinforcing a negative state of mind, making it more difficult to feel and express gratitude. Remember some things are out with your control and focus on something positive instead.

Gratitude is one of the primary elements of positive psychology… and for a very good reason.

Research has shown time and time again that gratitude, or even just saying ‘thank you,’ has several mental and physical benefits (Wong & Brown, 2017).

Specifically, showing gratitude allows individuals to strengthen social ties, experience an increase in self-worth, block toxic emotions (Froh et al. 2010), and be seen as kind and helpful by others (Bartlett & DeSteno, 2006). Contrary to popular belief, practicing gratitude does not just entail one simple step of saying thank you.

Practicing genuine gratitude consists of:

1. Noticing the things you are grateful for 2. Thinking about why you are grateful for this and why this happened to you 3. Feeling all the emotions that come with experiencing gratitude 4. Doing something in return to make someone else feel grateful

Notably, experiencing gratitude does not just stem from another person simply doing something nice for you. You can also practice gratitude about your different life circumstances, for example, being grateful for your opportunity to get an education.

The next time you practice gratitude, make sure you are paying attention to each of these four components.

The workplace can be a significant source of negative emotions which in turn can lead to stress, malaise and general dissatisfaction (Ganster & Schaubroeck, 1991). While your work activities may be constrained to the ‘four walls’ of your work environment, your emotional state is unbounded by the physical. You can leave your work at work, but your emotions persist regardless of your spatial placement.

Fostering a positive emotional environment doesn’t have to blow the departmental budget, one simplistic gratitude technique gaining in popularity is to display a gratitude bulletin board in the workplace. To set this up all you need is a physical board, a bit of wall-space and (depending on the type of board) pens, post-it notes or pins.

Getting Started

When setting up your gratitude board, remember to place it somewhere prominent to help achieve maximum visual impact.

Many people struggle expressing gratitude – especially in formal environments such as a place of work where professionalism may inhibit such expressions (Frohman, 2009) – so it’s a good idea to kick-start the process by adding as many gratification notices as you can, being as inclusive as possible, to encourage colleagues to follow suit.

How many times have you found yourself utterly drained and emotionally defeated on the homeward bound commute? Or been in your place of work, feeling under-appreciated and trying to muster the motivation to maintain cordiality and carry out your tasks?

By providing a medium through which to express gratitude, you and your colleagues can take the opportunity to post a note on the board to say what it is that you’re grateful for.

Gratitude Boards 2.0

What can you do if your team isn’t centralized? Perhaps your work takes you on the road for extended periods. Perhaps you are part of a virtual team (VT). Well, modern problems call for modern solutions. While it lacks the visual impact of a physical gratitude board, creating an additional ‘gratitude’ group chat with your colleagues can achieve a very similar outcome.

Work is a huge part of our lives! That’s why it’s as, if-not-more, important to try to promote a positive emotional environment for yourself and those around you. By applying techniques which encourage the expression of gratitude, everyone can feel appreciated and positive, turning the daily grind into the daily grin.

The gratitude visit represents one of the most well researched and validated examples of the positive outcomes that gratitude can have yield for an individual’s wellbeing.

Thrust into the spotlight by one of the founding fathers of positive psychology and former president of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Martin Seligman (2012), the gratitude visit combines both introspective reflection and the outward expression of gratitude in an exercise that will increase your happiness and reduce levels of depression in as little as a month.

Furthermore, studies show that for a full month after a gratitude visit, happiness levels tend to go up, while boredom and other negative feelings go down.

In fact, the gratitude visit is more effective than any other exercise in positive psychology (Tomasulo, 2011).

Simply put, the gratitude visit consists of writing and delivering a letter to a person whom you appreciate.

To start, take a moment to reflect on the positive impact others have had on your life. Focus on a time when perhaps you weren’t able to thank the individual properly or until now had let the good deed go unrecognized.

Your next task involves writing a letter of gratitude to the individual emphasizing how you recognize the positive impact that their actions had on you, how it helped you and how you still recall what they did.

Not to be remiss, give the individual a call and check if and when they would be available for a face-to-face visit. While an out-of-the-blue contact may raise questions, try not to get into specifics about why you would like to visit, the gratitude visit has the greatest oomph when it comes as a surprise to the recipient.

Next, the visit! While you may feel self-conscious, the positive psychological outcome for both yourself and the individual to whom you’re expressing gratitude will outweigh any temporary feelings of embarrassment.

Take your time and personally read the letter you’ve written – giving them the physical letter is a nice touch as it allows them to revisit the moment as an when they wish.

Findings by Seligman (2012) indicated that the positive outcomes of a gratitude visit are myriad and include; increasing our sense of wellbeing, enhancing our relationship with the gratitude recipient, helping us alter the way we think about past events – with a focus on the positive rather than negative, prompting an immediate sense of wellbeing and encouraging us to think about the future in a more positive manner.

Of course there are occasions when expressing gratitude is more of a focus than others, Christmas and Thanksgiving for example, are times of the of year that resonate with an abundance of messages relaying gratitude. Family, friends, and even complete strangers convey their appreciation towards one another, and while this collective expression of gratitude is heartwarming, why should it be confined to just a few times a year?

With this in mind let’s explore Gratitude Day, a day to encourage the celebration of gratitude for all things great and small, in a whole host of ways.

World Gratitude Day was first conceived in 1965; it was later adopted by the United Nations Meditation Group and has been celebrated by a growing number of people on the 21st September every year since.

How To Take Part

How you choose to celebrate World Gratitude Day is entirely up to you, and that’s part of the beauty. Simply taking some time to positively reflect on the people and things we are grateful for can impact us in a multitude of ways, most importantly by improving our wellbeing and making us happier people.

Whether you choose to take a moment to think about the blessings you are grateful for, or verbally express your gratitude to others, immersing yourself in the practice of gratitude helps you be aware of the positives in your life and encourages regular practice (Allen, 2018).

Living a grateful life takes time and practice, but with commitment and participating in days such as this, you can cultivate the attitude of gratitude into your daily life.

Put it in your diary! World Gratitude Day – Saturday 21st September, 2019.

17 Exercises To Nurture Gratitude & Appreciation

Empower others with more hope, satisfaction, and fulfilling relationships with these 17 Gratitude & Appreciation Exercises [PDF] that harness the powerful benefits of gratitude.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

After your taste of expressing gratitude on Gratitude Day, you may find Gratitude Month helps cement your gratitude practices. Running through the month of November, Gratitude Month is an exercise that encourages the daily practice of gratitude, encouraging the reciprocal cycle of appreciation.

Focusing on gratitude is a great way to spend a month and creates a habit of positive thinking – a means to help navigate the stresses and chaos of daily life.

During Gratitude Month, people are encouraged to journal their gratitude, participate in charity work, and give back to their community. At first you might struggle to think of what you are truly grateful for but that’s why it’s so important – through practice the act of gratitude becomes easier.

The important thing is to keep your mind focused on your feelings of gratitude, practice expressing your gratitude and in time you will develop a tendency towards a grateful life.

A Take-Home Message

Based on the advice we are given as children when learning to cross the road, Steindl-Rast (2013) offers practical advice for living gratefully, moment by moment.

STOP: We rush through life and miss opportunities because we don’t stop to recognize and act on them.
LOOK: We must use all our senses to enjoy the richness that life has given to us.
GO: We should do whatever life offers to us in that present moment. Sometimes that might be difficult, but we should go with it and do our best to enjoy every moment.

The positive impacts of expressing gratitude are long-lasting, grateful people and those who receive gratitude are likely to experience greater psychological, spiritual, and physical wellbeing.

If we fail to appreciate the things we take for granted and continue the search for more ‘stuff’ that might make us happy in the future, will that search ever really end?

I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering more about how best to express gratitude and the benefits of doing so! Let us know in the comments how you express gratitude to the people in your life.

For further reading:

The Neuroscience of Gratitude and How It Affects Anxiety & Grief
The Gratitude Tree for Kids

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Gratitude Exercises for free .

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Allen, S. (2018, May). The science of gratitude. Retrieved from https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf
Bartlett, M. Y., Condon, P., Cruz, J., Baumann, J., & Desteno, D. (2012). Gratitude: Prompting behaviours that build relationships. Cognition and Emotion, 26 (1), 2-13.
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Froh, J. J., Bono, G., & Emmons, R. (2010). Being grateful is beyond good manners: Gratitude and motivation to contribute to society among early adolescents. Motivation and Emotion, 34 , 144-157.
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What are you grateful for 105 things to be thankful for in life.

Here's a list of 40 things to be grateful for today.

A man and a woman planting in their garden

There are so many things around us and in our lives that we overlook, so many blessings that we forget to acknowledge. Gratitude is everywhere. We are all so blessed in little and big ways. All we are required to do is focus.

To find things to be grateful for in every moment, I recommend trying out a technique that I call ' Atomic Gratitude '.

In this technique, we pick up one small aspect of our lives, and it can be anything, for example; your bedroom, your partner, nature, your pet, your job, yourself, your friend, your kitchen, anything.

And, now you focus on this part of your life and see the little atomic parts of it that you can be thankful for.

Let's take the example of a bedroom that I also mention in my Attitude of Gratitude course and find the things that we can be grateful for in it.

Now, there might not be anything extraordinary in your bedroom that you see and sleep in every night. But, imagine if it wasn’t there, and think of each individual atom that makes it home for you.

Let's make a gratitude list with the things we can be thankful for in a bedroom:

Think of the walls that give you a space just for you.
Think of the windows that let soothing wind and sunlight in.
The curtains create soft light in the room, ensure privacy, and gently sway with the air.
The floor that you stand upon and how reliable it is.
The closet lets you keep your clothes and make more space in your room.
The lightbulb illuminates in the dark.
The buttons make it so easy to control the environment of the room.
The bed is always available for you to rest on.
The comfortable mattress supports your sleep and physical health.
The cool and relaxing feeling of clean bedsheets.
The support of pillows.
The bedside table that keeps all the things you want near.
The door that connects you to the rest of your house and also allows you to choose when you want to be with yourself only.
The sense of assurance that the lock on that door gives you.
The photographs on the walls relive golden memories.

There is such an incredible possibility in your bedroom alone. We just listed 15 things we can be grateful for in your bedroom alone and there's a lot more in it.

Imagine, if we searched for all the tiniest things and moments to feel grateful for, we'd never run out of ideas.

Before asking for more, let's appreciate all that we have, and let's focus on the tiny bits that make up and support the life we live.

What are you grateful for?

Alright then, let's dive into more ideas for things that you can be grateful for in your life here:

Things to Be Grateful For

Here are some of the things you can be thankful for:

"I am thankful for..."

Your morning coffee/tea
A healthy breakfast
That movie that always makes you laugh
When your hands are full and someone opens the door for you
Your good health
Your close friends
Cute animal videos
Warm sunshine on winter days/cool wind on hot summer days
The senses that make you experience the world
Funny people, always a blessing!
A secret joke between you and your friend
The moment when your food comes at a restaurant
When your favorite song comes on the radio right at the perfect time
Tears to express your deepest emotions
A friend’s face after you surprised them
Oxygen for life
Transportation
Comfortable clothes
Your ability to help
Kind strangers
A warm, cozy blanket on chilly nights
A great meal with your loved ones
Excitement for adventures
A relaxing bath
Winning at a game
Sacrificing for love
Your favorite school teacher
Handwritten letters
A relaxed weekend
Fresh morning air
Deep conversations
Feeling understood
Stories that fascinate you
Free learning resources
Experience of life

😇 Tip : To really level up your gratitude practice, I recommend that you maintain a gratitude journal . It'll really shift your perspective by making small steps every day.

Gratitude list of unique things to be thankful for

Google search engine
Food delivery partners
Sour candies
Healthy nails
Hair blowing in the wind
Handmade jewelry
Sweet new people
Comfortable jeans
Flexible body
Typing speed
Spellchecker
Smooth keyboard
Shiny tables
Funny videos
Soothing voices
Discovering new songs you like
Cracking the mystery before anyone else
Automatic save functionality in software
Good recommendations
The excitement of an upcoming wedding
Shared nostalgia
The moment you wake up in the morning and know you have more time to sleep
Compliments
Hot/cool showers
New recipes
A great dinner
Fresh fruits and veggies
Clean sheets
Being around someone you like
Resolution of conflict
Moments of happiness
Having money
Giving gifts
Being understood by a friend
Awareness of being in the present moment
Realization of how far you've come
A good workout
Feeling healthy
Good health of the people you love

So, what do you say? We have so many things to feel grateful for. Go ahead and write in your gratitude journal! 💖

Here's to gratitude for the little things!

Continue Reading: 40 Ways to Show Your Partner You Love and Appreciate Them

Aarushi Tewari

The writer and affirmations speaker at Gratitude, Aarushi believes that one of the most effective ways of feeling inner peace is by being grateful and having a loving self-relationship.

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Things that i’m Grateful for

This essay will reflect on the things to be grateful for in life, discussing the importance of gratitude for mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. More free essay examples are accessible at PapersOwl about Faith.

How it works

My coonhound Oliver is a good dog. When we went camping last month, he found himself a small, dirty rag to sleep on. He scratched at it from every direction, spinning round and round until the bed was just right, and then plopped down with a satisfied groan. This was not a groan of discontent, but rather an expression of gratitude. Oliver doesn’t care that his bed is a dirty old rage; he is simply being grateful for a master who feeds him and takes him camping.

So if a dog can be happy with so little, why are we so unappreciative? One little thing can send us flying over the edge.

Maybe it’s because we get up every morning only because we have to, grumble our way through the day, and lastly go to bed knowing that the same scenario waits for tomorrow. Adam and Eve found themselves in a similar situation in the Garden of Eden. They had so much to be grateful for, but chose to rebel instead. All their needs were covered by God, yet they chose to sample the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, opening the gates of sin, and condemning man to a life of ingratitude. Indeed, the Bible tells us that as Adam was being evicted, the first words out of his mouth were, Lord, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.'[1] Rather than giving thanks for the Garden, Adam chose to blame God for getting kicked out. It’s not that getting up in the morning is so difficult. It’s getting up knowing that we’re not going to receive what we think we are entitled to from other people.

They say that the only guarantee in life is death and taxes, yet we expect much more than that from the people we deal with. We expect them to guarantee our happiness. It seems that the bigger our sense of entitlement, the more ingratitude we exhibit. We experience life through our demands, and struggle to balance our giving with other’s taking. Then, when our perception of giving is dwarfed by their taking, we become downright ungracious and unappreciative of their efforts. We can’t control what others do, but we can control our reaction to it. If we don’t control our reactions, the feelings of entitlement often lead to more disappointment and dissatisfaction. The words from the song, Love is Blue, “Green, green my jealous heart”[2] describe one of the chief components of ingratitude. Jealousy. It’s been around for a long time. Shakespeare described jealousy and ingratitude as a green-eyed monster in the tragic play, Othello. [3] The bible says in James 3:16 “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”[4] Envious people are everywhere, going through life angry over the seemingly unearned blessings which are given to others.

They want the same advantages and resent people for what they have. It’s impossible to be grateful when you covet your neighbor’s belongings. By comparing what we don’t have to what others possess, we reduce our ability to appreciate the blessings in our own lives. Many people believe that money brings happiness. This is because we have all been indoctrinated to be good consumers and all success is judged on a scale of financed wealth. However, the Bible tells us that “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”[6] It also states in Matthew 6:19, ““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. “[5] Gratitude provides perspective in life, and those who lack appreciation miss the big picture. Life is not all about me. No one wants to associate with disagreeable people and such people miss out on the connectivity that we all take for granted.

It’s distressing to think of all the good times that have been forfeited because of ingratitude. No one really thinks of themselves, or likes to think of themselves, as an ingrate, but according to a study conducted by the Royal Society Open Science, Americans were found to show gratitude “less than 14.5 percent of the time”. [5] This means that approximately 85.5 percent of the time, Americans did not express gratitude and they showed a lack of appreciation 6 times more often than were grateful. It’s a big problem because ingratitude affects how we perceive our quality of life. My dad challenged us to compare our positive statements against our negative statements. He said that a good ratio would be 10 to 1. I took him up on his challenge and found my ratio to be exactly 10 to 1…in the wrong direction! Nowadays, my goal is to bring the ratio to parity, or roughly one nice statement for every critical statement. Oh yeah, just thinking something nice doesn’t count; you actually have to do it. With all the blessings that we enjoy as Americans, you would think it might be tough to see EVERYTHING in a negative light.

I mean, it takes work to count all the problems and dilemmas surrounding every situation and then to spew out vitriolic words on our friends and family. Actually it’s not–if you practice, and I’ve had 13 years to perfect this rather unworthy skill. On the other hand, it’s easy to see things in a positive light, even when problems arise. My friend, Julie, is just like this. Even when something goes wrong, she looks for the silver lining. And if she can’t find one, she simply states that something good will eventually come out of whatever she’s going through and it’s all part of God’s master plan. According to R.L Adams, “Gratitude can improve your life by strengthening your faith. There’s a deep appreciation for things that arise when people are grateful.” In fact, it becomes instilled into their very being. Therefore, it strengthens their faith and belief in all things. “For me, it’s my belief in God and the realization truly grateful for everything in my life, including my problems.” [6] Gratitude can transform your faith by instilling the belief that you’re not alone; whatever it is that you’re going through will pass, and you’ll emerge victorious.

You’ll accomplish your goals, overcome your obstacles, and become a better person, one who’s more compassionate to the troubles of others. As a result of all of this, you will be able to search for opportunities because you realize that what you have truly is enough, and that the focus must be caring for the spiritual and physical needs of others. That’s when true spiritual enlightenment begins. Gratitude is important because it is giving ourselves permission to finally be happy. Today I am grateful for food, shelter, clothing, the list could continue forever. Unfortunately, for many, these luxuries don’t exist. But anyone’s list can be simpler than that. I’m also grateful that I can smile, that I can walk, or even that there is fresh air to breathe. Many times we forget about these things until they are lost. Just like how my dog Oliver is extremely grateful for that small dirty rag, I can be grateful for the small things in my life. Oliver is not focusing on how he doesn’t have a five-star hotel bed to sleep on, but basks in the blissful ignorance of knowing that his needs are covered.

He knows how lucky and fortunate he is to have a place to sleep at all. In the same way, count your blessings instead of your misfortunes. You will never run out of either, but I choose happiness. Gratitude can truly change and transform your life. But it doesn’t happen overnight. Nothing ever does. Even when things are going terribly, I know that I can be grateful for a God who cares. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”[7] We always have things to be grateful for, if we trust in the Lord. ] There is no need to force our adversary to do anything when God can shoulder the burden for us. Current Housing and Urban Secretary Ben Carson has said, ‘Just do our best and let God do the rest.'[9] When we truly put our troubles in God’s hand, we can afford rest. Being grateful and content is not about what you have, it’s about who you are inside. Ungratefulness doesn’t happen by accident but we are part of why it happens. The Bible states in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Whether you know it, you always have things to be grateful for. Did you see the sunrise this morning? It was beautiful. Whether you fell like it or not, still rejoice in the Lord. If you don’t feel like being grateful, then that’s even better because it’s sacrifice. It can something as simple as being grateful that you didn’t honk at that person who took the last space in the mall parking lot. We can be grateful because we have a God who promises to protect us all the time. When we are grateful, our light shines through for others to see the work that Jesus does in our lives.

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150 Things To Be Grateful For (What Are You Thankful For?)

November is a month of gratitude, and Thanksgiving is the time each year when we think most consciously about what we are thankful for. What’s on your gratitude list? Did you make one?

Although it’s good to have a time of year to focus on gratitude, a gratitude practice and gratitude journaling shouldn’t just be limited to November.

Why Gratitude Is Important

Gratitude matters because it’s such a crucial aspect of looking at life positively . You can improve your mental health and increase your overall well-being if you practice gratitude daily.

How Do You Practice Gratitude?

If you want to consider expanding your thankfulness beyond November, a gratitude journal is a perfect way to achieve this goal.

How do you practice gratitude? It’s simple. Just take a few minutes every day to write down 3–5 things that you truly appreciate about your life. This is called gratitude journaling. You can focus on things that have happened within the last 24 hours, or you can keep it general. It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you do it. Really give it some thought and take your time to engage in that positivity and thankfulness. You can use any blank journal or you can use Dean Graziosi’s Better Life journal , which includes his personal outcome journaling method too.

List of Things to Be Thankful For

There are almost too many things to be grateful for. That’s why we broke this list of things to be thankful for into sections, so you can look over the information more easily. We also want you to be able to use this list as a reference point. If you’re having a hard day or struggling in a particular area, find that section in this blog post and identify with something on our list. We’re here to support you!

As you read through this post, know that not every one of these “things to be thankful for” will apply to you, and that’s okay. We’re certain you’ll find something to be grateful for on this extensive list.

PEOPLE (AND PETS)

If you’re looking for something—or someone —to be grateful for, look no further than the people surrounding you.

1. Family

Your family is not only the people you’re related to by blood but also those you choose to love. A loving family can be a huge blessing.

2. Friends

Your friends are the family you choose, and the good ones will be there no matter what you’re going through.

3. Significant Other

Having someone you love who loves you back is one of the greatest gifts this world has to offer. If you have a significant other, add them to your gratitude list.

4. Your Community

Being part of a community means you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

5. Mentors and People Who Inspire You

Be thankful for those who have gone before and choose to teach what they’ve learned.

Is there a more beautiful sound than a baby’s laugh? Or a sweeter thing than a child’s smile? Express gratitude for all the little ones.

7. Grandparents

Here’s to all the cookie-baking, pot roast-making, fishing and flannel-wearing grandmas and grandpas out there. They’re special people. If they’re gone, be thankful that you knew them. And if they’re still around, be especially thankful for them.

8. Positive People

Have you ever noticed that just being around happy people can make you feel happy? Their positivity can just light up a room. Consider adding a few happy people to your gratitude list.

9. Your Cat

They may act like they don’t care, but really they do. If you don’t believe us, just grab a treat and see how quickly they come running! 😉

10. Your Dog

Man’s best friend, where would we be without you?

11. Kittens and Puppies

They’re tiny, cute and really soft .

RELATIONSHIPS

Beyond the privilege of knowing and having special people (and pets) in our lives, our interactions with these people can include some of the best moments of our lives.

12. Chats with Loved Ones

Chatting with those closest to you is so meaningful. You get to hear how they’re doing and share your life with them. Think about talks with family members, new acquaintances and old friends when looking for small things to be thankful for.

13. Gathering With Friends and Family

The opportunity to spend actual, physical time with your loved ones is something that should never be taken for granted—as we’ve come to know all too well in 2020.

14. Family Vacations

A trip away from home is always wonderful. And when you get to make memories with your family members, it can be even better. Whether you’re flying or taking a road trip, spending time away with loved ones is something to be thankful for.

15. Warm Hugs

This one tops Olaf’s gratitude list, so go ahead and throw it on yours. 😉

16. Holidays Spent With Loved Ones

With family traditions and plenty of good food, the holidays are a favorite time of year for many people. Cherish that time.

17. Family Traditions

Whether you always shop on Black Friday, eat the same Christmas dinner or spend time together decorating, your family’s traditions are special and should be added to your gratitude journal. Be grateful for your family and the time you’ve had together to build those traditions.

18. Date Night

Date night is one of the most amazing things you and your significant other can do to develop your relationship. On date night, you spend time focusing on each other, and what could be better than that?

Receiving physical affection from your loved ones is definitely something to be thankful for. And if it’s your significant other, it can be even sweeter.

20. Teachers

Individuals who promote learning in young people are people to be thankful for. Do you have a teacher in your life who really impacted you? If so, consider putting them in your gratitude journal.

21. Random Acts of Kindness

Has someone taken the time to perform a small act of kindness towards you? Have you recently done a small thing to give someone else a pick me up? Add it to your gratitude list!

22. The Sound of Kids Playing

Dean loves nothing more than the sound of his kids playing basketball in the backyard. Hearing kids laugh is the best, isn’t it?

23. Getting to Know Someone New

Practice gratitude when you meet new friends. It really is such a privilege.

24. Being in Love

Is there a better feeling in the world than being in love?

25. A Listening Ear

Having someone who listens may feel like a simple thing, but it can seriously affect our mental health. If you have someone who’s constantly there for you to talk to, add them to your gratitude journal.

26. Honesty

Honesty is an extremely important value in your life and relationships. If you experience it, feel thankful.

27. Loyalty

Loyal friends are worth their weight in gold. Whether they’re old friends or new acquaintances, make sure you appreciate them.

28. Positive Feedback

Receiving positive feedback builds confidence and self-esteem. And living more confidently improves your mindset and well-being. So, be grateful for every time you receive positive feedback.

29. Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a gift, and it can be rare. Cherish it, appreciate it and record it on your list of things you’re grateful for.

Peace is an amazing thing that we shouldn’t take lightly. Whether in relationships or communities, when you experience peace, remember to remain thankful.

Experiences are an important part of life, whether you partake in them alone or with others. Here’s some we’re particularly appreciative of.

31. Laughing Until You Cry

Lol, Lmao, Rofl—there’s a reason we have so many acronyms for laughing because laughing is one of the best things in life. 😂😂😭😭

32. Dancing

There’s something about dancing that lifts your spirits and makes you feel thankful naturally.

33. Playing Golf

Dean loves playing golf. He loves it not just for the sport but for the opportunity to have long talks with his close friends. He’s thankful for that time! Do you enjoy it too?

34. Alone Time

Sometimes, the best way we can spend our time is by taking a rest and recharging on our own. For your own wellness, you might choose to nap, read or do a favorite activity alone to build up your energy—especially if you’re an introvert like Dean.

35. Waking Up Every Morning

Every day is a gift and a privilege. Carpe diem!

36. Working from Home

In 2020, many people were able to work from home for the first time. Thanks 2020 for showing us what it feels like to work in our sweatpants. If you were able to work from home and keep safe, it’s something to express thankfulness for.

37. Power Naps

We’re grateful for 20-minute naps that move the needle, energizing us for the rest of the day.

38. Appreciating Art

There’s something awe-inspiring about looking at art. We’re thankful for that whoa feeling.

39. Getting Good News

Here’s to that swoop in your stomach and that warm feeling that radiates through your body when you get great news. It’s all you can do to keep yourself from screaming “ YES !” in public!

40. Cuddles With Your Furry Friend After a Bad Day

Enough said.

There are some things in life that you can’t live without… and others we simply wouldn’t want to. Some other things we put on this list just because they make our lives more fun. What’s your favorite THING?

41. The Roof Over Your Head

Everyone needs a place to call home, but not everyone has one, so it’s important to be grateful if you do.

42. Technology

Social media, new products, and apps! Inventors and innovators develop new technology every day to make our lives more efficient and enjoyable. Isn’t that crazy cool?

43. Indoor Heat

Looking at you Northerners up there in the snow. Bet you love this stuff.

44. Air Conditioning

We’re headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona in the United States. That’s smack dab in the middle of the desert. So all we have to say is air conditioning is a beautiful thing.

45. Sunny Days

What brightens your life more than a sunny day? It’s the simple things that really matter.

46. Rainy Days

If sunny days aren’t your thing, maybe you prefer rainy days. You get to hear the pitter patter of raindrops, and you know that the plants are about to be much happier.

47. Newness of Spring

When the trees start to bud after winter, it signals a new beginning. It’s a new hope.

48. Fall Leaves

There are few things more satisfying than the crunch and swish of fall leaves under your feet.

49. Fresh Snow

Pure, fresh snow is beautiful every time.

50. Access to Clean Drinking Water

Having good, clean drinking water is a privilege. Be thankful.

51. Bubble Baths

Can you think of anything more relaxing?

52. Modern Medicine

It’s miraculous how far medicine has come. It’s saved countless lives. We are lucky to live in this time in history.

53. Employment

Whether you work at a job or you are self-employed, it’s a good thing to be able to provide income for yourself and your family.

54. Comfort Food

There’s just something about warm, gooey comfort food. Hotdish, anyone?

55. Curling Up in a Blanket with a Good Book

Get comfortable on a cozy couch and wrap a soft blanket around you (either because it’s cold outside or because of that sweet, sweet air conditioning). Then grab a book and read about what interests you.

56. A Cup of Coffee in the Morning

Because there’s no better way to start the day than with a cup of coffee. It’s fuel—literally!

57. Dessert

One word: Yum.

58. Money in the Bank

This feels like a big one. Be sure to express a lot of thankfulness for this one if it applies to you.

59. Hobbies

Doing what is fun for you is something to be grateful for.

60. Streaming Services

Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and more—the ability to watch what you want when you want is truly something to be grateful for.

61. Amazon Prime

Books and anything you could possibly imagine available in just a few days? What is this— The Jetsons ?

62. Clean Sheets

A freshly made bed with crisp, clean sheets feels like a fresh start.

63. Farmers Markets

Excellent locally grown vegetables, hand-made crafts and community—what’s not to like?

64. Good Hair Days

Just plain important for a happy life.

65. A Good Night’s Sleep

Zzzzzzz.

66. Grocery Stores

This kind of convenience is insane. Have you ever thought about that?!

67. Hot Showers

68. old photographs.

Looking at old photographs from when you were a kid, when your parents were kids or when your grandparents were kids is a great trip down memory lane.

69. Podcasts

Portable and easily accessible, podcasts are one of our favorite ways to learn new things.

Who doesn’t love getting swept away in an amazing story? Especially if it’s the kind of novel that will have you up til 2 AM trying to finish. If you’re a #booklover, add your favorite books to your gratitude list.

71. Great Movies

What’s your favorite movie? You know, the one you love so much that you’ve watched it a million times. Add that to your gratitude journal.

72. The Snooze Button

It may be annoying, but at least you didn’t get fired.

73. TV Shows

We all need an escape now and then.

Who doesn’t like to look nice?

The feeling after a close shave cannot be beat.

76. Shaving Cream

Imagine just using soap and water!

77. Beard Oil

For those of you who love to rock a beard, beard oil is heaven-sent. And if you have a beard but you’re not using oil, go get some! You’ll be thankful you did. 😉

78. Birds Chirping

Good morning—it’s a beautiful day.

79. Scented Candles

Because they just smell really good. And there are so many scents.

80. Wildflowers

Nature is amazing. If you love to watch the flowers grow or the bees buzz around them, add wildflowers to your gratitude journal.

81. Running Shoes

Runners love their shoes! Here’s why Dean’s a big fan of Nikes .

Lotion creates a protective barrier for our skin, keeping it feeling good. And it doesn’t hurt that it smells great.

83. TV Remotes

Not having to get up each time you want to change the channel is, quite frankly, amazing.

84. Fluffy Pillows

So comfortable and sleep is so important.

85. Journals

This one is big for us because we’re so into mindset. And if it’s not too meta , you could even be grateful for your gratitude journal!

Are we there yet? Nope, we’re 7.4 miles away. 😉

87. Wine or Beer

Sitting with your significant other and having a nice glass of wine or beer is a great way to end the day.

88. Expensive Liquor

For the times when wine and beer just won’t cut it.

89. Your Favorite Armchair

It’s your spot, and everyone needs one.

90. Mental Health Days

Taking a day off just to decompress can be really good for you.

91. Swimming in the Ocean

Nothing makes you realize how big and incredible the world is quite like swimming in the ocean.

92. The Smell of the Holidays

Fresh pine needles, sweet cookies, grandma’s cooking—the epitome of hope and holidays.

93. Scenic Drives

Take the long way home and explore a scenic path. It’s an excellent way to appreciate your surroundings.

94. Weekends

Can I get an Amen ?

95. Home-Cooked Meals

Hot out of the oven or freshly chopped—home starts in the kitchen for a lot of people. If that’s you, add it to your gratitude list.

Omelet anyone?

97. Sunsets

Just plain beautiful.

98. Massages

Okay, this is the one thing that is more relaxing than bubble baths.

99. Movie Theater Popcorn

Extra salt and butter? Sounds perfect.

100. New Clothes

Dean may wear the same dark gray and light grey t-shirts every day, but he has a lot of them. New clothes are fun and make you feel like a new you.

101. Ice-Cold Beer after Working Outside

After a long day of working outside, there are very few things as refreshing as an ice-cold beer.

102. Cell Phones

What would our lives be like without our cell phones? They have social media, emails, contacts—they house our entire lives! If you can’t think of something to be thankful for, remember this little guy.

103. Comfortable Shoes for Exploring

Do you like to hike? If so, you could add your most comfortable pair of shoes to your gratitude journal!

104. This World We Live in

There are so many sights to see, and so many places to venture to!

105. Your Favorite Music

Whatever genre, whatever artist, whatever band you love—be thankful for them!

106. Free Wifi at Coffee Shops

Hallelujah.

107. A Great Pen

We know most of us spend a lot of time typing, but for those who like to journal and still write things out (looking at you, Dean), a great pen is a wonderful thing.

108. Computers

This incredible technology allows us to learn and build businesses. It provides us answers to difficult calculations in mere seconds! Computers are truly phenomenal.

109. Sticky Notes

Without them, would we remember anything at all?

She [It?] is annoying but helpful.

It saved us in 2020.

112. GoogleDocs

113. fresh air through an open window.

Feeling a light breeze on a hot day can be so refreshing. If fresh air brightens your day, add it to your gratitude list.

114. Transportation

The freedom we have with the transportation available is unreal. Cars, buses, airplanes—any transportation that you’re thankful for, jot it down in your gratitude journal.

115. The Internet

Of course, the almighty Internet. It connects us and gives us limitless opportunities.

116. Glasses (Or Contacts)

Glasses and contacts are simple things that we often forget about. But, for those of us who need them, they can top the list of things to be grateful for.

117. The Smell of Freshly Mown Grass

Ahhh , smells like summer.

INTANGIBLE THINGS

Now let’s get into the big picture stuff. These are things we’re thankful for that may be hard to categorize but all the more meaningful because of it.

If faith matters to you, it can be a core part of who you are. Faith can define a huge part of your identity, giving your life meaning and purpose. If that’s the case, add faith to your gratitude list.

119. Potential

You have so much that you haven’t done yet—and your capacity for more grows every day.

120. Talents

Your talents may feel natural, but the more you develop them, the more they will flourish.

121. Feeling Inspired

Inspiration is a powerful instigator, and great things can come of it. If you’ve been feeling inspired lately, jot it down in your gratitude journal.

122. Personal Growth

If you’re on a path towards personal growth, you’ll begin to notice the changes in yourself. You may see yourself become more mature and more confident. Take note of these changes and add them to the list of things you’re thankful for.

123. Second Chances

Sometimes, things don’t always work out the first time. Either we made a mistake or things happened outside our control. But a second chance is definitely something to be grateful for.

124. Literacy

Look at you! Sitting here, reading this article. Amazing!

125. Capacity to Learn

Do you have the ability to discover tons of things about the world and about yourself? If so, that’s something to celebrate.

126. Good Health

Good health is important for your success. This is both your physical and mental health. If you’re taking steps to stay healthy, add it to your gratitude list!

127. Working Senses

Can you feel, smell, see, hear, or taste? If so, you’ve found something else to be thankful for! What a gift. ☺️

128. Mindfulness

Being mindful takes practice, and if you’ve been putting in the work, you’re sure to reap the benefits. Have you been noticing the benefits of mindfulness in your everyday life? If so, go ahead and add it to your thankfulness list.

129. Diversity

Think of all the opportunities you have for connecting to our global community. Whether you’re talking to a colleague in Germany or listening to pop music from Korea, if diversity is something you’re grateful for, write it in your gratitude journal.

130. Justice

Seeing and experiencing justice is something to feel grateful for.

131. Freedom

If you enjoy the freedom you have to be yourself, add it to your gratitude list.

132. The Future

Your future looks bright. Yes to that positivity!

133. Success

Look back with gratitude at all your success—this year and beyond.

134. Energy

You had the energy and life to wake up this morning and smile. Give thanks for that!

135. Sense of Accomplishment

Feeling proud of a job well-done is something to be grateful for.

136. Nostalgic Memories

It’s a blessing to have good memories to look back on. If you’re appreciating the nostalgia, add it to your gratitude list!

137. Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech is a privilege that not everyone has. If you have it, give thanks for it.

138. Receiving Wisdom

Receiving wisdom from a mentor is invaluable. And you should really take that knowledge to heart and give thanks for it.

139. Free Time

Having leisure time to do what you like? Now that’s a luxury to be appreciated.

140. Learning From Mistakes

Mistakes are not fun in the moment, but we mature as a result. And that’s a good thing.

142. Education

Access to education is incredibly empowering. Recognize that!

143. Safety

Basic safety is something too many take for granted, and it is so necessary for life. If you have it, you are incredibly lucky.

144. Stable Government

If you live in a country that has a stable government, then you have yet another reason to give thanks.

145. Having a Purpose in Life

Finding your life’s purpose gives your life meaning and direction. Plus, it gives you context for your place in the wider world—all reasons for thankfulness.

146. The Feeling of Total Relaxation

When you can sit down and really unwind, it’s one of the best feelings. Be thankful!

147. Experiencing Peace of Mind

Peace of mind is what we all want to feel. No worries, just acceptance. That’s something to be grateful for.

148. Organization

You’re not always going to be 100% organized, but when you are, give thanks for it.

One of the most valuable reasons to be thankful is for the opportunities you have yet to experience—and that’s hope if I’ve ever heard it.

And, last but not least…

150. yourself .

Be thankful that you are who you are. There’s only one you. It’s so important to practice positive self-talk in your gratitude practice. Being kind to yourself increases your positivity, self-worth, and well-being. So, go on! Add yourself to the top of the list of things you’re grateful for!

Wow! That about does it. 150 things to be grateful for! We hope you enjoyed this comprehensive gratitude list, and we hope that it gives you ideas for your own gratitude journaling.

A final hint: Just be grateful for the simple things. And remember that when you practice gratitude, positivity and thankfulness (even when you don’t want to), amazing things can happen.

I’d love to know what you’re most grateful for this year! Text me the #1 thing you’re thankful for at 480-400-9019.

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Written by Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Oct 23, 2023

Gratitude isn’t just the feeling people get after something good happens to them. It’s a way of thinking that takes practice and hard work to make it part of their everyday behavior. It’s often easy to forget many of the little things we have to be grateful for in our lives, but it’s important not to take anything for granted. To help, we’ve made a list of 100 things to be thankful for that you can use to spark your own gratitude. Read below for inspiration and tips on how to practice gratitude in your own life and, once inspired, send a custom thank you cards to honor, recognize, and celebrate those important to you. Consider designing a card with your name, your photo, or an appealing style and ordering enough to send on any upcoming occasion. With Shutterfly, it’s easy to make personalized cards unique to you.

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Why should you make a thankful list, list of things to be thankful for, how to find things to be grateful for, what are you thankful for.

The following 100 things to be thankful for are only the tip of the icebergs. There’s an infinite amount of things in which someone can find gratitude, but this list was made with the intention to give you inspiration to find them for yourself.

Things To Be Thankful For In Life

From family, to your first house, to the transportation you have to take you to your job– this list is made up of all the “big” things we have to be grateful for.

Close friends
Good health
Healthy food
Your education
A good night’s sleep
The seasons
Financial savings
Transportation
Clean water
A good book
Modern healthcare
Graduations
Giving gifts
Receiving gifts

A young woman hugging her husband after receiving flowers from him.

Funny Things To Be Thankful For

This list is as funny as it is true. Whether it’s the appreciation for your crazy, mismatched socks or the sound your TV makes when it turns on– sometimes it’s the comically small things that make us happy.

Food delivery services
Naturally missing every crack in the pavement
Happy hours
Waking up seconds before your alarm
Fuzzy socks
The ability to Google any question
Toilet paper
Good hair days
Your celebrity crush
The five second rule
Fortune cookies with perfectly timed fortunes
Clothes fresh out of the dryer
Inside jokes
Getting everyone to smile in the family photo at the same time

Young parents with their daughter having fun in park and taking color coordinated family pictures.

Things To Be Thankful For Thanksgiving

In the season of thanks and gratitude, it’s important to take the time to reflect on things you might regularly take for granted. Find more inspiration with our Thanksgiving greetings, and you can always write about what you’re thankful for in a Thanksgiving card sent to loved ones. We’ve listed a few things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving here:

A good meal
A comfy couch or chair
Thank you notes
Your favorite Thanksgiving side dish
Freedom of religion
Working with your hands
Unconditional love
Uncontrollable laughter
Teachers who don’t give homework on Thanksgiving break
Hot Showers
The smell of freshly baked cookies
Learning from unique cultures or traditions
Good neighbors
Seeing old friends
Old photographs
Grandparents
Sit-down dinners
A nice cup of hot chocolate
Fun family traditions
Mutual respect
Finally getting to wear your favorite sweater
Not being the turkey

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Unique Things To Be Thankful For

Everyone has a unique set of things, people, or memories that they’re grateful for, even if they don’t often think of them, like the examples below:

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Successfully making a new recipe
Pain, and the lessons learned from it
Rain boots and puddles to jump in
Forgiveness
Driving and getting nothing but green lights
Comfortable shoes
Checking something off your to-do list
Positive feedback
Random bursts of inspiration
The scale of the universe
Heartfelt apologies
Long, late night conversations
Farmers markets
Blowing bubbles
Fresh, warm sheets on your bed
Seeing something from a new angle
Your favorite memories

Thank you note with smile face and flower cluster on wooden chair

Are you looking for ways to practice gratitude and gratefulness? If so, we can help. There’s an endless amount of opportunity to give thanks more often in day to day life. We’ve outlined a few different methods of practicing gratitude for you below:

Start a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude journals are great ways to make thankfulness an every day (or at least weekly) routine. From written prompts, to organized lists of things to be thankful for, to little doodles that make you happy– these journals can be anything you want. For help getting started on yours, visit our resource on how to start a gratitude journal .

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Find Daily Gratitude Quotes

Make a calendar with daily, weekly, or monthly gratitude quotes you want to put into practice. Quotes are great resources to inspire us and help us reflect on the good in life. Looking for the perfect quotes to add to your collection? Look to our resources below:

Gratitude quotes
Thank you quotes
Appreciation quotes and messages
Inspirational quotes about life

Send Thank You Cards

Whether it’s for a birthday gift, Christmas present, graduation gift, or for something they helped you with, thank you cards make a big impact. Not only do they let the other person know how much they’re appreciated, but they also help you practice gratitude.

Did this list of 100 things to be thankful for resonate with you? Did you think of things you’re grateful for that aren’t on this list? If so, what are the three things you’re thankful for the most? Share them with us below!

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Grateful vs Thankful: What is the Difference?

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Are you like me in the sense that you’ve wondered what the difference is between being grateful and thankful?

The two words are often used interchangeably when people express their gratitude . However, although they’re considered synonyms for showing your appreciation for something or someone, there is a difference between these two words.

Today, we’ll explore the differences between grateful vs. thankful . Then, we’ll try to come up with a description that is in keeping with our experience whenever we express appreciation for the goodness we receive from the world at large.

Table of Contents

The Scholarly Definitions of Grateful and Thankful

Being grateful is defined in Merriam Webster as being “appreciative of benefits received.” Meanwhile, in the same source, being thankful is defined as being “conscious of benefits received” and also “well pleased.”

However, there are multiple layers and definitions for gratitude , making it a more complex concept than being thankful.

Feeling gratitude can be expressed in many ways and at multiple levels of complexity, spanning from a shorter change in effect (similar to being thankful) to long-term changes in personal temperament.

Being grateful isn’t just about performing one action, it’s also an emotion that serves a positive biological purpose. Gratitude embodies a general state of thankfulness.

Gratefulness can be the result of many small, positive actions that come together to shape a mindset of appreciation. Some examples may be:

After hearing about a sick friend, you may reflect on your life and feel grateful for your health.
If you have to reschedule a meeting at the last minute due to a family emergency, you will probably feel grateful for the other meeting attendees if they’re understanding of your last-minute crisis.
If you go to a third world country, surely you will feel gratitude for your access to clean water and fresh foods.
If you have a tough day at work, you might stop to be grateful that you have a job, unlike the many who are unemployed.

A great way to practice gratitude is to use an app that can reinforce this habit and capture the positive things you want to remember. The video below showcases 9 of the best gratitude apps today.

Thankfulness, on the other hand, is a conscious act you engage in after you receive some sort of benefit. Thankfulness differs from gratitude in many ways, one of which is that it is commonly associated with materialism, which is not a characteristic of people who practice gratitude.

Studies have shown that people who recognize themselves to have a low tendency toward materialistic habits also report that they’re more grateful than those who recognize their sense of materialism.

Thankfulness is the (often fleeting) response you have after someone does something specific for you or gives you a specific gift.

For example:

Someone holds a door open for you
Someone gives you a Christmas or birthday present
Someone tells you that they like the shirt you’re wearing

None of these things will truly benefit you in the long-term, which puts them in the thankful category.

Spiritual Definitions of Grateful vs Thankful

It may not come as a surprise that religious and spiritual movements, such as Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism have addressed the concept of gratitude.

Religions have taught that living with a sense of gratitude is a critical part of leading a good life; however, unlike people who view gratitude today, religions often refer to it solely as a need to feel thanks for a higher power.

For example , those who are Jewish are encouraged to begin each day by feeling gratitude that they woke up from their sleep.

On the other hand, in the Islam religion, practitioners are asked to offer five daily prayers–not in search of gaining something they don’t have (such as praying to lang a dream job or meet a potential spouse), but rather to show Allah that they’re grateful.

While each religion uses gratitude in a unique way, they all use it to offer thanks to a higher power who has made their existence possible.

By expressing gratitude, we’re affirming the good that we have come across in the world. Furthermore, we are recognizing that sources of goodness (i.e., the giver) are actually outside and separate from ourselves.

When we search for definitions of grateful and thankful from the spiritual side of things, we’ll discover that–spiritually speaking–you start living a life of gratitude the minute you become fully aware of goodness and are able to appreciate that goodness without thinking in terms of the recipient or the giver.

Meanwhile, thankfulness is the moment we think of who the giver is , what the gift is, and who receives the gift. We then recognize ourselves as the recipient and offer our thanks to the giver.

By these definitions, the expression of gratitude is the continuous flow of being thankful.

In recent years, researchers have provided clinical evidence of what many spiritual traditions have been arguing for hundreds of years–that living with a feeling of gratitude has a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing, which creates a connection between gratitude and spirituality.

grateful and thankful quotes | thankful and grateful for you | gratitude versus thankfulness

In fact, Deepak Chopra, a world-renowned leader, and doctor in alternative medicine makes several deep connections to gratitude and spirituality in his work.

Chopra claims that being grateful is parallel to feeling a Divine presence, as it allows us to recognize the value and virtue of the things in our lives.

In this respect, gratitude may be seen as being a remedy to various forms of suffering. Therefore, some may consider it to be a form of spirituality on its own.

Action Step: For just a few minutes, consider the things in your life that you possibly could be grateful for. You can think about any positive relationships you have, the comfort of your own bed, your ability to move your body, or your mind, which is your tool for understanding yourself and the things around you.

Take a deep breath in and feel gratitude for the clean air that surrounds you. Feel the life in your body and acknowledge the miracle you’re experiencing by simply being alive.

Turn your mind to an appreciation of the things you’re seeing, smelling, and feeling right now and you will slip into a grateful mindset without even trying.

What are the Differences Between Grateful and Thankful?

Although the two words overlap and are often used interchangeably in speech, there are some clear differences between grateful and thankful. Let’s start by looking at the difference between a letter of gratitude and a thank you note.

If you were to write a letter of gratitude, you would start by thinking about someone who has made some kind of difference in your life that still lasts to this day.

In a gratitude letter, you would want to describe what this person did to make an impact on your life, tell them why you’re grateful for what they did, and explain how their actions affected or continue to affect your life.

This type of letter differs from a thank you note because it implies that you recognize how another person was able to make your life better in the long-term –likely through their actions, rather than by giving a gift that isn’t meant to last forever.

Let’s look at some other ways these terms differ from each other.

Rather than saying a quick, “thank you” to the person who holds a door open for you, feeling gratitude means you’re able to appreciate the abundance of positive things in your life–or, the abundance of people in the world who are willing to be helpful.

When people are grateful, their appreciation is often intentionally expressed through their actions rather than reciting “thank you” on autopilot.

Gratitude grows over time. Let’s say you’re leaving a job and the company throws you a goodbye party. While that is a nice thing to do, it probably won’t impact you on a daily basis down the road .

However, if your boss has been providing you with positive letters of recommendation and has gone out of his or her way to ensure your long-term success after leaving the company, that will make a positive impact on your long-term professional wellbeing.

When it comes to the second, third, and fourth time your boss talks to another potential employer, your sense of gratitude for your boss will likely grow with each effort he or she makes.

This sense of gratitude can impact your future when an employee of your own is looking for a recommendation letter down the line. You will remember how your boss made you feel, which will lead to a willingness to do the same thing for someone else.

grateful vs blessed | thankful or grateful for someone | thankful and grateful messages

Helping other people is also a result of gratitude if you’re doing something to “pay it forward” after someone performed an act of kindness for you. In this instance, you’re spreading that feeling of gratefulness among other people.

Gratitude (and its effects) can be seen at an individual level as well as at a larger social level. The person who feels a sense of gratitude may not reciprocate back instantly but rather may do something to help someone else out in the future. This process expands the network of gratitude.

For example, think back to a time when you were sick and a friend went out of their way to visit you and spend some time offering companionship.

While you will probably thank them before they leave, you may not reciprocate that action immediately. Rather, you might feel inspired next time you know someone who is sick to go visit them because you remember how the effort made you feel.

Final Thoughts on Being Grateful vs Thankful

Today, we discussed the definitions and differences of grateful vs thankful. There are a lot of conflicting definitions of the two words, and they have often been used interchangeably.

The takeaway from this post is that although gratefulness and thankfulness are often interchanged when we’re expressing gratitude, they are not actually the same. Knowing the difference can help you better identify whether what you’re experiencing is thankfulness or gratefulness.

Since we’re on the subject of gratitude, you might also want to check out these articles:

Benefits of Gratitude: 31 Powerful Reasons to be More Grateful
168 Reasons to Give Thanks
95 Gratitude Affirmations for a Daily Dose of Thankfulness

Thanklessness deprives people of the emotional rewards of gratitude .

Connie Stemmle is a professional editor, freelance writer and ghostwriter. She holds a BS in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her 4-year-old daughter, running, or making efforts in her community to promote social justice.

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All About Chip and Joanna Gaines' 5 Kids

Chip and Joanna Gaines have five children: Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie and Crew

Jacqueline Weiss is a contributing writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Her work has previously appeared in Food & Wine, Insider and Apartment Therapy.

Chip and Joanna Gaines might be best known for renovating homes on TV, but to their five kids, they're just Mom and Dad.

The couple got married on May 31, 2003, in their hometown of Waco, Texas , and have gone on to build a successful home renovation business . The Fixer Upper stars have since welcomed five children as well: Drake, 19, Ella, 17, Duke, 16, Emmie, 14, and Crew, 5.

The father of five has said he and his wife have been able to juggle their business and parenting responsibilities by finding the balance between enforcing rules and giving their kids some leeway.

"I grew up in an environment that was pretty much 'back by dark' — [my parents] didn't generally know what we were doing, and it was all good, clean fun," Chip told PEOPLE in 2018. "So I thought, 'Oh, I'm gonna be a wild parent.' "

He continued, "When I got to be a parent, I don't know what it is about it … I feel a little bit like a drill sergeant sometimes. Some elements of my personality, as a parent, I'm not real crazy about."

But no matter how much success the Gaines family might experience with their Magnolia empire, they always try to ensure their kids have a "normal" upbringing.

"They're so young and we want to give them the chance to have a normal childhood ," Joanna shared with PEOPLE. "When we wake up in the morning, I think we're normal. But then you go to Target and it's definitely different. We're both in awe."

The couple are also trying to " instill kindness " in their children. "Every day we try to teach our own kids to be kind to themselves, to each other, to neighbors and especially to those who look like they are alone," Joanna told PEOPLE in November 2019.

Here's everything to know about Chip and Joanna Gaines ' five children.

Drake Gaines, 19

Chip and Joanna first became parents when they welcomed their son Drake on Feb. 5, 2005. Drake was named after the Drake Hotel in New York City, where the couple went on their honeymoon.

Drake, who has taken an interest in baseball and watersports , appears to have a good sense of humor , often joking around with his dad. Fans got a peek into their father-son relationship during Fixer Upper 's final season when Drake made a brief appearance on the show.

"Did you think when you were on the mound, 'I wish I was as handsome as my dad?' " Chip asked Drake after watching his baseball game.

"Uh, no, because it's already true," Drake quipped.

As Drake has grown up, Chip and Joanna have had to adjust to big life changes — like helping their eldest get his driver's license . "I was so excited leading up to it, and Jo was too, kind of," Chip shared with PEOPLE in 2021.

However, the excitement for Joanna was short-lived: "Then we get this kid his license, and the first morning he goes to drive, Jo bawls her eyes out . She was just devastated and wanted no part. She wants to hire him a chauffeur!"

In August 2022, Joanna reflected on sending her son off to college in an essay for Magnolia Journal . "Soon, our oldest son, Drake, will be leaving home for college," she wrote. "In the grand scheme of heartbreaking things, this one comes with a lot of gratitude and excitement … But still, my first child is moving away, and our family dynamic will change because of it, and that can feel like a loss of its own."

Joanna Gaines Instagram

Joanna marked Drake's high school graduation in May 2023 with an Instagram video showing pictures from her oldest's childhood.

“It feels like just yesterday that we were cheering him on as he took his first steps," Joanna wrote in the caption, "but last weekend, as he walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma (!!) we were cheering him on as he took his first steps into a world beyond what he’s known."

Ella Gaines, 17

Chip and Joanna welcomed their first daughter, Ella Rose , on Oct. 20, 2006.

In 2019, when Ella was 13, Joanna shared that her daughter takes after her. "Ella is like me," she told PEOPLE. "I think she'll follow in my footsteps and have her hand in a lot of things. Right now she wants to cook, be a lead designer and have a donut truck."

Ella has already forayed into the food industry, running a bakery from the family's kitchen. "Her new summer business is selling baked goods at the office when she goes to work with me," Joanna wrote on Instagram in 2018. "Tonight we stayed up late and she made Aunt Opal's banana pudding and the chocolate chip cookies from my cookbook ."

The now-teenager also appears to have a green thumb. During an episode of Fixer Upper , Ella and her younger sister Emmie helped Joanna tend their backyard rose garden .

"I love teaching the girls about what all goes into gardening, but I would say my favorite part about it is just getting to spend some time with them," Joanna said on the episode.

In October 2022, Ella turned 16 years old and got her driver's license. The proud mom was emotional about the milestone birthday, writing alongside a video of their house decorated for the occasion, "My sweet girl turns 16. I'm trying my darnedest not to cry like a big fat mama baby when she drives off by herself tomorrow 🥹."

Duke Gaines, 16

The Fixer Upper stars welcomed their second son, Duke, on May 23, 2008.

Duke takes after big brother Drake and their dad with his good sense of humor. In season 5 of Fixer Upper , Duke, Chip and Tim Tebow were working on a wheelchair-accessible home when Duke decided to scour for scrap metal. He later turned in the metal for cash and went on a shopping spree .

"Duke and I went to work a couple of weeks back, we salvaged a bunch of metal and we kept some of that money on the side so that we could bless the Copp family," Chip shared on the episode. "And sweet Duke decided he wanted to buy just some necessities."

Duke wanted to give a tricycle and baseball cards to the family, but his dad got distracted by various items in the store. "Shopping with my dad is kind of impossible," Duke said.

"Why is it impossible to shop with me?" Chip asked.

"Because you look at everything and you're like 'Ooh we should buy this,' " Duke joked.

His sense of humor was on display again in October 2022 when he wore a giant inflatable minion costume from Despicable Me for Halloween. Joanna shared a photo of Duke posing with a group of friends wearing simple costumes, captioned, "Duke did not get the memo 😂. She also included a video of Duke hilariously trying to fit through a doorway.

Emmie Gaines, 14

Chip and Joanna's second daughter, Emmie Kay, was born on Jan. 5, 2010.

Like her older sister, Emmie has begun a food business of her own. She and her brother Duke sell produce and eggs door-to-door and have even asked their parents for a farm truck for the business.

"We printed labels for them, and once a week they go out and sell," Joanna told PEOPLE in 2019. "They're just like Chip: They don't take no for an answer!"

And with her big sister, Emmie is in charge of caring for the chickens on their family farm , something dad Chip is " really proud " of.

"We've got some baby chickens that Ella and Emmie are responsible for growing up to mature chickens," he said on an episode of Fixer Upper . "Those chickens were all hatched, they were being taken care of accordingly. Those girls were personally responsible for those things."

Emmie likes to bake as well, and she's even created her own cookie recipe . "She was determined to make up her own cookie recipe and I left the kitchen so she could surprise me (and so i wouldn't micromanage her work in the kitchen😅). Let's just say this was one of my favorite cookies I've ever tasted!" Joanna wrote on Instagram in November 2019. "I also love what she named them in her little cookbook, 'Emmie Kay's chocolate chip kisses cookie' ❤️."

Chip and Joanna's fifth child, son Crew , arrived on June 21, 2018.

Chip announced his son's arrival on Twitter, secretly including the baby's moniker before sharing it publicly. "The Gaines crew is now 1 stronger!" he wrote. "10 beautiful toes and 10 beautiful fingers all accounted for, and big momma is doing great!" Crew's name is a break with tradition, as his older brothers both have names starting with "D."

Despite the age gap, Crew and his older siblings are very close. "I think it's sweet because they're older now, and I can see them wanting to be a part of this," Joanna told PEOPLE shortly after Crew's birth. " We're all rallying around this baby , which I feel is a sweet gift to our family."

Crew's energy has also given Joanna a new perspective on life. "I feel younger than ever because I now see the world like Crew sees it," she told PEOPLE in 2020. "I'm very thankful."

She continued, "When Crew is in the car with me, it's always, 'I see a sun, I see a tractor, I see a boat.' He's finding the simplest things, and in his mind it's an amazing discovery, but to us it's just stuff. When you look at things through the eyes of your children, it brings you back to that place of awe and wonder."

Crew has been following in his parent's footsteps since he was an infant. He has accompanied Chip and Joanna to work and has served as his mom's sous chef in the kitchen .

"He's my little sidekick," Joanna said of Crew when he was just 9 months old. "He comes to work with me every day and goes to all my meetings ."

She added, "I always tell Chip, 'This boy is going to be able to run the company by age 5!' "

When he's not helping out with the family business, Crew is indulging his creative imagination. In October 2022, Joanna shared a video of the mother-son duo enjoying outdoor adventures together on Instagram.

"He woke up this morning and said he wanted to be a 'tire man' and then he changed his mind and wanted to be a butterfly catcher and that turned into becoming a fire maker," Joanna wrote alongside the video. "This little guy makes life fun ✨."

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Biden Marks Memorial Day With Message About Freedom as Trump Lashes Out

An earlier message from Donald J. Trump was more traditional, but it was quickly followed by one wishing a happy Memorial Day to “Human Scum.”

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President Biden and Lloyd Austin, both in dark suits, hold their right hands over their hearts during the national anthem.

By Michael D. Shear

Reporting from Washington

President Biden paid tribute to veterans who died in America’s wars at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, hailing them as “a link in the chain of honor” who deserve recognition for protecting the nation’s democracy.

“Freedom has never been guaranteed,” Mr. Biden said in a nine-minute Memorial Day address, moments after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

“Every generation has to earn it. Fight for it. Defend it in battle between autocracy and democracy,” he said of the nation’s veterans. “Our democracy is more than just a system of government. It’s the very soul of America.”

His somber message was a sharp contrast to that of former President Donald J. Trump, his challenger for re-election this year, who posted an angry and incendiary Memorial Day message on his social media site.

“Happy Memorial Day to All, including the Human Scum that is working so hard to destroy our Once Great Country,” the former president wrote on Truth Social.

Mr. Trump also wished a happy Memorial Day to Lewis Kaplan, the federal judge who oversaw the trials in which the former president was accused of defamation. Mr. Trump called Judge Kaplan “the Radical Left, Trump Hating Federal Judge.” He also called Justice Arthur F. Engoron, who presided over Mr. Trump’s civil fraud case, a “wacko.”

In an earlier, more traditional Memorial Day missive on Truth Social, Mr. Trump posted a photograph of himself saluting a wreath while he was president, and saying “WE CAN NEVER REPLACE THEM. WE CAN NEVER REPAY THEM. BUT WE CAN ALWAYS REMEMBER.”

But his vitriolic post followed a few minutes later as a reminder of the stark differences between the two rivals for the White House. As has been the case for years, either as president or as a presidential candidate, Mr. Trump showed that he would not be held to the norms of behavior that guide the nation’s leaders on a somber national holiday.

By contrast, Mr. Biden’s appearance was typical of the kind of message delivered by other presidents in both parties.

He focused mostly on the sacrifices of the past — members of the military who died in Afghanistan, Korea, Vietnam and the two world wars.

“Our fallen heroes have brought us closer today,” he said. “We’re not just fortunate heirs of their legacy. We have a responsibility to be the keepers of their mission, that truest memorial of their lives.”

Mr. Biden did not mention the wars raging in Europe and the Middle East, where he has pledged not to send American service members to fight alongside allies in Ukraine or Israel. The United States has been drawn into both conflicts nonetheless. The military is helping to provide humanitarian relief in Gaza and is equipping and supporting fighters in both places against Russia and Hamas.

Mr. Biden took a moment during the speech to remember his son Beau, who died of brain cancer after serving in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. The president has long said he believes his son developed his cancer as a result of living next to open “burn pits” in Iraq, where the military would burn waste, producing toxic smoke that nearby soldiers breathed in.

“This week marks nine years since I lost my son,” the president said, being careful to add that Beau Biden’s death was “not the same” as those of soldiers who lost their lives in battle.

”The pain of his loss is still with me every day as it is with you,” he said. “Still sharp, still clear. But so is the pride.”

It is that pride, the president said, that Americans must remember when service members return home from battle, or when their grieving family members receive their remains.

Mr. Biden has repeatedly said he believes that the country’s “most sacred” obligation is to take care of the military members who return home from battle, or to care for the relatives of those who have died. On Monday, he repeated that pledge again.

He hailed the passage in 2022 of legislation that he championed to make it easier for service members to receive health care and other benefits for ailments most likely caused by burn pits and other toxic exposures.

Mr. Biden said the legislation and other efforts to support veterans was an expression of gratitude from a thankful nation.

“Gratitude to our fallen heroes,” he said. “Gratitude to the families left behind. And gratitude to the brave souls who continue to uphold the flame of liberty all across our country and around the world.”

Michael D. Shear is a White House correspondent for The New York Times, covering President Biden and his administration. He has reported on politics for more than 30 years. More about Michael D. Shear

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Historic House case settlement has college basketball -- not college football -- to thank for saving the NCAA

The ncaa tournament is the only reason we're here, and ironically enough, college basketball's landscape will still take a huge hit despite saving the day.

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament West Regional-Practice

Stodgy old heads dispersed across college athletics — whose power has been reduced and whose perspective on reality is only now finally crystallizing through the one course of action they can't deny: losing their money — may semantically disagree with this next sentence, but I assure you every word of it is fundamental truth.

On Thursday, the NCAA and its richest conferences officially committed to a future that will feature direct payments from schools to college athletes in exchange for their participation in NCAA-sanctioned competition.

The NCAA's archaic amateurism model — which wrongly profited off unpaid labor for nearly the entirety of its existence — is all but finished. Anyone who tries to claim otherwise would merely be repeating the NCAA's time-honored, head-in-the-sand pantomime that led the organization to this point of humbling inevitability.

The NCAA and its five co-defendants (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and the soon-disbanding Pac-12) in the House v. NCAA case all voted to avoid going to trial and are moving forward with a settlement and the signing of term sheets that will require two gargantuan commitments: nearly $2.8 billion worth of back pay over the next decade to more than 15,000 former college athletes who did not receive name, image and likeness benefits between 2016-21; plus a signed pledge to invest millions of dollars annually at the power-conference level for the next 10 years to continue to pay college athletes, no matter what sport they play or how accomplished they are. The star quarterback will earn a stipend just as the backup lacrosse goalie and second-string soccer striker will.

It's a foundational philosophical change that could sustain from now through the everlasting continuation of American college sports. In the past five years, the NCAA has found itself routinely pulled into evolutionary and revolutionary change. This is not only the latest iteration, it's the most symbolically and financially significant alteration in the organization's history.

It must be noted: This week's votes to settle were necessary steps before many more legal and bureaucratic measures are taken in the months ahead. Most critically, the California-based judge in this case, Claudia Wilken , has to approve the terms of the deal in order for it to take effect beginning in 2025. There are also settlement papers to be delivered in two other cases (Hubbard v. NCAA and Carter v. NCAA). And NIL fundraising isn't going away; that's a separate topic altogether. A lot still has to be hashed out.

As Michael McCann keenly observed for Sportico , "Once schools see the actual price tag they face, expect push back. Keep in mind, many schools are already worrying about finances given that the college-age population in the U.S. is projected to drop from 2025 to 2037 due to declining birth rates. Some schools are already budgeting for lower tuition, housing, meal plan and student fee revenues. A world where their costs for athletics will climb couldn't come at a worse time."

In many ways, the problems are just beginning. But this house needs to burn down in order to build a better one for the future.

How we got here came with 11th-hour controversy and a heavy dose of irony. It came by way of coercion — forced, of course, by an antitrust lawsuit — and only materializing due to the threat of a much more ruinous result (purportedly many billions of dollars), had said lawsuit gone to trial instead of being settled for less than $3 billion.

Here's the irony: We all realize that the riches of college football — money already attained, but also the fortunes promised in billions of dollars in multimedia revenue expected over the next near-decade — rolled college sports to this point. But college football isn't solving anything. The only reason we have a settlement is because of college basketball. The men's NCAA Tournament made this possible. That's been lost in a lot of the discussion and reaction to this historic news.

College football is what affects change, stokes chaos and dictates conference realignment. In many ways, it's done more harm than good. But it's college basketball and the money generated via March Madness for decades that is saving the day.

"The men's basketball tournament is bailing everybody out," one high-ranking industry source told CBS Sports. "The NCAA lost out on the authority to manage college football money. Men's basketball is helping save, at least maybe has saved, all the other sports."

The NCAA office is going to pay approximately 40% of the settlement bill. And where did that money come from? Men's NCAA Tournament revenue accrued over the years, in addition to cost savings and insurance plans. The remaining near-60% of the damages will be paid off by every conference. Of that ⅗ portion (somewhere between $1.6 and $1.7 billion), 60% of it will be paid out by conferences outside the Power Five. That equates to somewhere north of $975 million over a 10-year period for multi-bid and mid-major leagues to foot the bill.

And what's paying for that? Not College Football Playoff revenue. This is largely being covered by past and future money made off the March Madness event. Without it, the NCAA has nothing.

Yet (here's the cruel part) the small schools, mid-major conferences and multi-bid leagues are still going to get financially hammered, especially in relation to how the bigger conferences will be better equipped to handle the financial blow later this decade thanks to the billions to made from high-profile college football into the 2030s. The NCAA is only agreeing to settle because it has future NCAA Tournament media rights payments that will be withheld by the NCAA to member institutions — basically like garnished wages for everyone from Alabama and Ohio State to the low rungs of Division I.

Things just got a lot more difficult for every league not named the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. (Even a lot of schools the ACC and Big 12 have things to work through; their media deals pale in comparison to the Big Ten and SEC.)

But for the likes of the basketball-focused conferences (Big East, Atlantic 10, WCC), let alone the one-bid leagues that will now be paying around $3 million annually as a result of this settlement? The cost of doing business has never been tougher.

"The Big East and all those other leagues, they should be pissed," an industry source said. "The Power Four just developed a CFP model that keeps everyone out and they get to keep the cash. We're thankful [basketball] can bail everyone out, but holy crap, that's not talked about enough. All they're doing is withholding future earnings, and the only way they got it is men's basketball."

The richest high-major conferences are footing 40% of the payments, yet the majority of the back pay (speculated to be near, if not north of 90%, according to sources) will be going to football and men's basketball players. All this has led to genuine anger from just about every conference outside the Power Four structure. Many commissioners are refraining from speaking on the record, but their opposition has been plainly vocalized behind the scenes. Their leagues don't have the earning capacity of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC due to inferior or non-existent revenue deals with the CFP. Everyone else will be stuck either trying to invent massive new revenue streams or be forced to cut costs.

The problem could have been alleviated if the power conferences even agreed to meet halfway and go 50/50 with everyone else. That's not happening. It's by way of a formula based upon how many scholarships schools had and how much money they made from playing in the men's NCAA Tournament.

"We don't have a say in it. We're stuck. They can just do it," Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistricill told CBS Sports. "It's devastation without representation."

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the case and the plaintiffs themselves (ACC, Big Ten, etc.) didn't apprise their commissioner contemporaries of the anchor they were tethering them to until earlier this month.

"It's analogous to being in a boat in the open ocean on a fairly clear day, and then all of the sudden just getting hit by one of the worst storms possible. That's what it felt like," WCC commissioner Stu Jackson told CBS Sports. "After being informed, it was clear that both of those items had been discussed for a period of time, but as an FCS conference, we only found out about the settlement a little over a couple weeks ago. In finding out, it gave little time to assess the impact in our direction. That's a bit alarming."

It's a two-part agreement: payment for lost earnings from 2016-2021 (every league has to pay up) and committing to future payments (a mandatory opt-in for the Power Four). Most leagues outside the biggest ones can't afford future payments and won't be opting in.

The Big East? I reached out to commissioner Val Ackerman on Thursday, but she wasn't up for talking on the record. It's estimated schools in her conference — none of which, except for UConn, sponsor FBS football — could have to opt in to more than $750,000 annually in player payments in order to remain competitive in recruiting at the high-major level. Overcoming this won't be impossible — NIL recruiting and the bigger paydays therein are here to stay — but it's going to further separate the haves and the have-nots. The Big East has performed as a top-three league in men's basketball in seven of the past 10 seasons. Maintaining that could become more difficult.

If the Big East is facing a new hike, consider the slope that's steepened for the multi-bid conferences in basketball caught in the in-between: the Atlantic 10, Mountain West, WCC.

"The defendants, honestly speaking, it's not just that they're bigger conferences, but they have the wherewithal for a much wider and several other streams of revenue to be able to cover significant costs as a settlement," A-10 commissioner Bernadette McGlade told CBS Sports. "To appropriate it where the five defendants are paying out 40% and the other conferences are picking up 60% is an imbalance of the financial asset distribution in Division I."

There never has been and never will be competitive equity in college sports, but the gaps are now worsening. Unfortunately, Thursday's news will almost certainly compel further distance from the top to the middle to the bottom in Division I — across all sports. More than 90% of D-I athletic departments don't turn a profit. Revenues will be impacted and expenses are going to grow. Schools might have to cut sports.

"Do we have to reduce our scholarship funding in other sports to stay competitive in basketball? Every school is going to have to look in the mirror and make that decision," McGlade said.

One-bid conferences in basketball could be docked between 300-400K per school each year, which will tally to somewhere around $3 million annually at the league level. This is guaranteed to have downstream effects that further split apart and tier out the power structure in Division I. It's never been harder to be a mid-major basketball program than in 2024, and in the years to come, that reality will only get harsher.

"The Autonomy Five will have a significant increase in expenses as it relates to the go-forward of this settlement, but at the same time, they're in the fortunate position of having protected revenue sources from the CFP as well as the multi-media, mega-media television rights," McGlade said. "From an A-10 perspective, we will make an attempt to set up and opt in as a basketball-centric league, but we'll have to work hard to strategically find those dollars that will be able to match the type of dollars that it will take to opt in to stay competitive and relevant in basketball, which the A-10 unquestionably wants to do."

How much can they do? Schools will be forced to make a number of tough financial decisions, ones that could impact a lot of non-revenue/Olympic sports.

In the WCC, they have very little answers at this point. And this is for a league that is riding high after four key conference additions in the past six months .

"That's the first step, before any decisions can be made, we have to assess where we are and where we're going to be," Jackson said. "My sense is all the conferences are scrambling to understand what that picture looks like."

College sports is pushing into an overdue era of proper player compensation. It's only getting there because basketball bailed out the NCAA, and of course, now the landscape has become more unstable. College basketball's reward for making a settlement possible is to see hundreds of programs scraping by, all because power conferences refused to split up mountain ranges of CFP money. The action might trigger a reaction elsewhere: Further fallout in the months/years could include serious disagreements over the format and finances of the NCAA Tournament when it can be renegotiated.

The greed of the college sports industrial complex led its leaders to this moment. For the people who want to change the NCAA Tournament — who aren't operating in good faith for the betterment of that event — a similar greed still exists. If history is any indication, many of the people in charge will stubbornly choose to not learn from their mistakes.

The NCAA Tournament has long been the best thing about the NCAA. How it's run, what it symbolizes, how it's assembled, televised, all of it. Thank god for the NCAA Tournament. As we now know, not only is it the best thing the NCAA's ever done, it's literally the only thing keeping this whole operation from collapsing in on itself.

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Brittany Mahomes gives update on back fracture and recovery: 'Staying on top of my health'

Brittany Mahomes is doing "great" since she fractured her back.

The wife of Patrick Mahomes gave her fans an update on her health during a recent interview with E! News .

"I'm doing great," she said. "I'm living my best life. My back is no longer broke, so that's good. But yeah, I'm still in the gym. I've finally, I think, fully recovered and am back to doing the things that I've always been able to do. Just staying on top of my health and being active and healthy for my kids and my dogs is super important to me."

In March, Mahomes revealed she fractured her back when she shared a message to her fans on her Instagram Story.

“Just a daily reminder: Once you have kids please take care of your pelvic floor. Seriously,” she wrote at the time. “From: A girl with a fractured back."

Mahomes shares her two kids , Sterling Skye and Patrick “Bronze” Lavon Mahomes III, with Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes, wife Brittany Mahomes and their kids.

According to the Cleveland Clinic , a person's pelvic floor muscles help stabilize their core while assisting with essential bodily functions. These types of muscles can weaken over time due to childbirth, injury or the normal aging process. That's why it's important to exercise your pelvic floor muscles from time to time.

In a recent Instagram post, Mahomes opened up about motherhood when she shared a beautiful picture of her family in matching outfits.

She said, "Being a Mom is the best title I could ever have. I could not have asked for two better babies, raising them with their dad by my side makes every day beautiful. 🥹 they make life fun & entertaining to say the least 😂🤍 they have brought so much peace and positivity into our life & I wouldn’t change a thing about it."

"Thank you God for blessing me with this amazing family of mine 🙏🏻🫶🏼 And to every mama in my life, Happy Mother’s Day," she continued. "I have learned something from each of you & am so thankful to have you by my side in this crazy life🙌🏼🤍."

Birthday Speech for Boss

Ai generator.

Introduction:

“Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for taking the time to gather here today to celebrate [Boss’s Name]’s birthday. For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], and I’ve had the pleasure of working with [Boss’s Name] for [number] years/months. It’s an honor to stand here and say a few words about someone who has such a significant impact on all of us.”

Highlighting Professional Qualities: “[Boss’s Name], you are an exemplary leader and an inspiration to all of us. Your [mention key qualities, e.g., ‘dedication, vision, integrity, and ability to lead by example’] are just a few of the many qualities that make you an outstanding boss.”

Expressing Appreciation: “We all appreciate the guidance and support you provide every day. Whether it’s steering us through challenging projects or celebrating our successes, you consistently demonstrate what it means to be a great leader. Your ability to [mention specific contribution, e.g., ‘foster a positive work environment, encourage professional growth, and drive innovation’] has not gone unnoticed.”

Sharing a Light-hearted Moment: “I remember [insert a humorous or heartwarming office anecdote, e.g., ‘the time we had that brainstorming session, and your creative ideas not only solved the problem but also sparked a lot of laughter and camaraderie among the team. It’s moments like these that remind us how fortunate we are to have you as our boss.’]”

Offering Well-Wishes: “As you celebrate your birthday today, we all want to wish you continued success, happiness, and good health. May your future be filled with even more achievements and joyful moments. You deserve all the best.”

Conclusion:

Summarizing Key Points: “To sum up, [Boss’s Name], you are an incredible leader and a wonderful person. We are all so lucky to work under your guidance and look forward to many more successful years together.”

Toast: “Now, if everyone could please join me in raising a glass or cup… Here’s to [Boss’s Name]! May your birthday be as amazing and special as you are. Happy Birthday, [Boss’s Name]! Cheers!”

Closing: “Thank you all for being here to celebrate this special day with us. Let’s enjoy the rest of the celebration and continue to make great memories together. Happy Birthday, [Boss’s Name]!”

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Labor groups hail removal of ‘escrow’ in Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Bill; urge PBBM to sign law

A congressional decision to delete the “escrow” provision in the proposed Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers have been hailed by various labor groups who called the deletion “a victory for seafarers.”

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and the Association of Marine Officers and Ratings, Inc. (AMOR Seaman) hailed the bicameral committee of the two Houses of Congress for deleting the controversial provision that would have mandated the payment by seafarers of an “execution bond” to receive money claims they have already won in court.

“This is a victory for seafarers,” said Jacinto Rivera, spokesperson of AMOR Seaman. “We are now pleading for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the latest version of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers without the execution bond and the escrow provision,” added Rivera, who is an oiler seaman.

Both Houses of Congress need to approve the bi-cameral conference report before it submits it to the President for enactment into law.

PREJUDICIAL, DISCRIMINATORY

Congress has been in hot waters for inserting an “escrow” provision in the proposed Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Law.

Labor and Trade Union groups have protested the escrow provision, saying that it would prevent seafarers from receiving their money claims despite winning their cases in the lower courts, if such cases are still pending appeal in higher courts.

Congress later on replaced the provision with an “execution bond” that would have required seafarers to post a bond to receive what is due them after winning a case, if employers appealed the decision.

“Both the ‘escrow’ and ‘executive bond’ provisions are discriminatory, a violation of the equal protection clause of the Bill of Rights, since no such requirements are mandated on land-based OFWs and workers based in the Philippines. Thus, it has no basis in law, jurisprudence or practice. It will set a bad precedent and deprive seafarers of equal protection from the law,” said Atty Sonny Matula, president of the FFW.

AMOR Seaman and FFW expressed elation over the bi-cameral conference’s decision.

“We believe the ‘escrow’ and ‘executive bond’ provisions are prejudicial to and discriminatory against all Filipino seafarers especially to disabled and sick seafarers,” said Rivera.

PAYMENT TO ADDRESS MEDICATION

Rivera explained that seafarers seek payment of monetary benefits because of their medical condition.

“Many Filipino seafarers get sick at work or get disabled because of work, and incur big debts in the process, because they have to sustain their medication. Sadly, others die even before the Supreme Court releases its final judgment on their case,” said Rivera.

The aggrieved seafarer, Rivera further said, will be forced to redirect his money to the unjust execution bond. “Common sense tells us that the poor and sick seafarer’s money should be used for his medication and for immediate needs of his family. The execution bond therefore further puts in danger the economic well- being of the seafarer.”

Rivera explained that the execution bond provision is truly violative of the equal protection clause, anti-labor and anti-OFW, making it very difficult for the seafarers to receive the winning award.

THANKFUL TO SENATORS

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“We thank Senate President Chiz Escudero, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Sen. Koko Pimentel, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, as well as the other lawmakers in the bi-cameral committee for seeing the light in our pleas” said AMOR Seaman and the FFW.

“We believe our good President will help us and sign the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers as soon as possible to ensure our rights, protection and welfare,” added Rivera.

AMOR Seaman and the FFW also praised Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla for their stance against the said provision in the Magna Carta for Seafarers Bill.

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Pinoy First: Ateneo de Davao University Rocketry team greenlit for Spaceport America Cup 2024

Hearing in masinloc, zambales asserts philippines’ sovereignty over west philippine sea amid chinese presence, sm city caloocan, your big-city mall is now open, karla sajona presents flights of fancy in gateway gallery .

AMOR Seaman
Association of Marine Officers and Ratings Inc.
Atty Sonny Matula
Federation of Free Workers
Jacinto Rivera
Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma
Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers
Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Bill
Sen. Koko Pimentel
Sen. Raffy Tulfo
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Senate President Chiz Escudero

essay about what you are thankful for

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