Gratitude - #21
“It is not happiness that makes us grateful, it is gratefulness that makes us happy.” — David Steindl-Rast
It is silly to me that we dedicate a day to giving thanks as a reminder to actually show gratitude. Gratitude is one of those things we all know we should practice, like stretching, flossing, or journaling, but it’s easy to let it fade into the background when life gets busy.
And yet, it’s the simplest, most reliable way to change how you experience your day.
Because gratitude shifts your focus, from what’s missing to what’s meaningful.
That said, it has to be intentional, active, and spoken.
Reflect Daily
Every morning before the noise starts, and again before the day ends, take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for.
It doesn’t have to be profound. It might be your family, your health, or a small win at work.
Strange but effective tip – say it out loud
Saying it out loud has been proven to “convince” your brain that it is more real / tangible.
Because what you focus on expands, and gratitude is the fastest way to retrain your mind to see the good in front of you.
Say thank you more
We often think we’re grateful for the people around us, but we rarely tell them.
We assume they know.
My wife, Katie, does a million small things that make my life easier. The truth is, I don’t always stop to say “thank you.”
A simple “thank you” to your spouse, a teammate, or a friend takes seconds, but it reinforces connection, trust, and respect.
Say it out loud. Mean it. Repeat it.
Don’t Let Routine Steal Meaning
The more consistent your life becomes, the easier it is to stop noticing the good in it.
You stop appreciating what once felt like a blessing, because it’s become normal.
But “normal” is the sum of everything you once hoped for: the family, your health, the home, simply the ability to get up each morning.
Gratitude is how you remember that what’s ordinary now was once the goal.
So slow down. Look around. Acknowledge it.
Final Thought
Gratitude isn’t just a practice, it’s a mindset.
It’s the discipline of seeing the good, the humility of recognizing what you’ve been given, and the courage to express it.
Say it in your head. Say it out loud. Say it often.
Not because you have to, but because you get to.
Additional Resources
Book: The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success – William Thorndike – Buy here
Podcast: Founders: Red Bull’s Billionaire Maniac Founder – Listen here
Stoic Quote of the Month: “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” — Epictetus
Gratitude doesn’t ignore what’s missing. It celebrates what’s here.