Picture this: It’s the crack of dawn, and there I am, wrapped in my favorite blanket—fuzzy and slightly frayed. In my hands is a notepad that has seen better days and a pen that’s more of a loyal friend than a writing instrument. This is my armory, my secret weapon in the daily battle against TheGloom Monsters of Life:my gratitude list.
The journey began when the United Souls—my go-to cosmic council for all things wise and occasionally cheeky! I start my mornings with a gratitude list. “Start with five things,” they said, “and watch magic unfold.”
Day one was filled with the grandiosity of a Hollywood blockbuster. I wrote down: “I am grateful for my health, my family, my job, my friends, my kids, my life. ” It felt good, safe… and like I just read off a template from ‘Gratitude Lists for Beginners’.
But as the days turned into weeks, something shifted. The lists got longer, deeper, and weirder. “I am grateful for the perfectly crunchy toast this morning” (seriously, it was like the universe toasted it just for me), or the hilarious misfortune of stepping in a puddle and discovering my boots really are waterproof,” I am grateful to learn that I have waterproof boots!”
This daily ritual of scribbling down the things I’m thankful for turned into an unexpected adventure, where every day I uncovered something new to appreciate. It’s like going on a treasure hunt in the ordinary, finding nuggets of joy and humor hidden in the folds of everyday life.
My gratitude lists became the life raft on days when the waters got choppy. They were the sparkly bits of confetti in the air when things were a blast (and who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle?). They morphed into my own personal brand of morning therapy, a lens through which the world seemed to take on a more vibrant hue.
Let’s face it, this wasn’t just about saying “thanks” anymore. This was a full-on, deep-tissue massage for the soul. It was about seeing the funny side of life’s misadventures. It was about becoming a thanks-living warrior in a world that all too often invites us to focus on what’s missing rather than what’s brimming.
The United Souls were onto something. By writing these lists, I was doing more than just counting my blessings; I was creating them. It’s like every “thank you” sent a signal to the universe saying, “Hey, I loved that! Can I have another?” And often, the universe replied with a resounding, “Sure, why not?”But this practice did more than just bring in more stuff to be grateful for—it brought in more life. Suddenly, I was laughing louder and hugging longer. Gratitude was the new black, and I was ready for the runway.
Let me tell you, the power of gratitude is like a cosmic joke that only gets funnier the more you’re in on it. It turns life into an inside joke between you and the universe, where everything, even the mishaps, has a wink of divine comedy. So, as you read this, I hope you feel inspired to grab the closest notepad (or napkin, or your foggy bathroom mirror—no judgment here) and start your own list. It might feel clunky at first, like doing a salsa with two left feet, but stick with it.
The beauty of this practice is that it’s deeply personal. Your gratitude list can be as quirky, as touching, or as irreverently funny as you are. Because in the end, it’s not just about finding things to be grateful for; it’s about uncovering the unique, joyful essence of you. Remember, gratitude is the gateway to abundance, the secret handshake for the club of contentment, and the best love affair you’ll ever have—with life itself. And my message to the United Souls is, “thank you!” Who ever knew such a simple practice could completely transform my life.
May your heart be light, your troubles amusing, and your gratitude lists never-ending. Because in the alchemy of the spirit, a thankful heart is the philosopher’s stone that turns the lead of the mundane into purest gold.
Keep laughing, keep loving, and above all, keep listing!
With a heart brimming with gratitude (and a pen that’s almost out of ink),
xo
Heidi