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Peace be with you.

If you’re listening in the USA on the day this episode releases, I wish you a peaceful Memorial Day! If not, I simply wish you a peaceful day.

I must express sincere gratitude for your help spreading positivity to the world. Last week, I asked that if you found the podcast valuable, you shared it with someone. And the download numbers grew! Thank you!

And speaking of thanks, this week’s thought experiment is about gratitude.

Imagine waking up tomorrow and everything that you did not feel grateful for today was poof! Gone.

If you don’t like something about your current situation, you might think “that would be great!” And that’s a topic for another episode.

I’m talking about the things you should be grateful for – the people you care for, the job that pays your bills, the little glimmers that make you smile throughout the day.

Years ago, I read that idea in a social media meme, of all things. It was meant to make the reader pause and really consider how often they said “thanks” for the big things and the little things. And if you really put yourself in that place, it feels like you’re in a science fiction movie – waking up to find everything you care about is gone. Actually, that might be a horror movie rather than sci-fi.

Life can change quickly, and we will all face moments when something or someone is suddenly absent from our lives. I pray it’s not everything all at once, like in the thought experiment. But change is part of life.

Facing the change that will inevitably happen can be a little easier if you know you’ve appreciated and expressed gratitude for whomever or whatever is no longer there.

Being thankful now for what you have also helps you stay present in the moment, for yourself and the people around you.

If you’re always chasing the next best thing without taking time to appreciate what’s right in front of you, they might perceive you as not caring as much as you do. They might wonder why they put so much into the relationship when you don’t seem satisfied. They could even resent you for taking them for granted.

You wouldn’t take your blessings for granted, would you? Do you?

My challenge to you this week is to count your blessings – all of them. Start with the people closest to you, then spread out to even the smallest things that make you smile. I don’t care if it’s a silly joke a friend sent you or in-season fruit that tastes oh, so good right now. If it’s a glimmer, count it.

I actually fall asleep doing this most nights. It’s a practice I started during the most difficult emotional period of my life, and I’ve kept it up for 23 years.

Of course, saying “thank you” doesn’t guarantee nothing will ever change and nobody will ever leave or pass away, but it forces you to be present and appreciate who and what you care about each day. And that’s a gift in itself.  

Go forth and express your gratitude!

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