Gratitude is one of those simple words that carry enormous weight. It’s easy to say “thank you,” but living in a state of gratitude is something deeper—it’s a choice that changes how we see the world. I’ve gone through seasons of great joy and deep sorrow, and one thing I’ve learned is that gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending everything’s perfect. It’s about finding peace and perspective right where you are, even when life feels far from ideal.

There was a time in my life when it would have been easy to become bitter. Losing my wife was the most painful experience I’ve ever faced. Grief has a way of stripping life down to the bare essentials. It forces you to look inward and decide whether you’ll stay broken or grow through the pain. For me, gratitude became the turning point. It didn’t erase the loss, but it gave me a reason to keep moving forward with hope.

Gratitude Starts with Perspective

Gratitude isn’t something that automatically happens when life is good—it’s something you practice, especially when it’s not. I’ve met people who have very little yet radiate joy, and others who seem to have everything but can’t find happiness. The difference often comes down to perspective.

When we focus on what we lack, we magnify our problems. But when we focus on what we have, we multiply our blessings. Gratitude doesn’t ignore the hard things—it just refuses to let them steal the spotlight. I started training my mind to look for the good, even in small things: a sunrise, a kind word, a moment of laughter, or simply another day to breathe. Over time, those small acknowledgments built a habit of thankfulness that changed how I viewed life altogether.

Gratitude shifts your heart from “why me” to “thank You.” It reminds you that even in chaos, there’s grace; even in pain, there’s purpose.

Gratitude and Faith Go Hand in Hand

My faith has always been the anchor that keeps me steady, and gratitude strengthens that anchor. The Bible tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” and that’s not always easy to do. But I’ve found that gratitude invites God into every situation. It turns worry into trust and resentment into peace.

When I volunteer at The WARM Place, I see this truth lived out daily. Families walking through unimaginable loss still find moments to smile, to laugh, and to be grateful for the time they had with their loved ones. Their gratitude doesn’t erase the pain—it transforms it. It turns mourning into meaning.

I’ve also seen how gratitude opens doors to healing. When I started helping others after my own loss, I realized that giving thanks for the opportunity to serve shifted the focus away from what I’d lost toward what I still had to give. Gratitude and service are connected; when you’re thankful, you naturally want to share that goodness with others.

Gratitude in Everyday Living

Practicing gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s found in the everyday rhythm of life. I try to start each morning by thanking God for another day—before checking my phone or diving into the noise of the world. Sometimes, I’ll jot down three simple things I’m grateful for. They don’t have to be profound; often, they’re as simple as “a good cup of coffee,” “a long walk,” or “a friend’s encouragement.”

It’s amazing how this small practice can rewire your outlook. You start noticing more blessings throughout your day, and your thoughts shift from scarcity to abundance. Gratitude brings contentment because it reminds you that what you have right now is enough.

When you make gratitude a daily habit, it changes how you interact with people too. You become more patient, more understanding, and less reactive. It’s hard to hold grudges when your heart is full of thankfulness.

Gratitude Through Service

One of the most powerful ways to express gratitude is through serving others. When we give our time, energy, or resources to help someone else, we’re acknowledging how blessed we are to have something to offer. Service turns thankfulness into action.

I’ve had the privilege of volunteering at camps for children with cancer, serving at my church, and supporting families through my foundation, Families with Holes. Every time I serve, I come away more grateful than when I started. The people I meet—many of whom are facing challenges far greater than my own—remind me what real strength and hope look like. Their joy in the middle of hardship humbles me.

Gratitude grows when it’s shared. The more we give, the more we realize how much we’ve been given.

Living a Grateful Life

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that gratitude is the foundation for a meaningful life. It doesn’t take away the trials, but it gives them purpose. It turns obstacles into lessons, losses into love, and ordinary moments into blessings.

You don’t need to wait for a perfect day to be grateful—start right where you are. Thank God for breath in your lungs, for people who care about you, for the opportunities still ahead. Gratitude transforms not just how we see the world but how we live in it.

The world moves fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in striving for what’s next. But if we slow down long enough to notice what’s already good, we discover that the best things in life aren’t things at all—they’re moments, relationships, and the grace that meets us every single day.

So today, take a breath, look around, and give thanks. Gratitude won’t just change your outlook, it will change your life.