Originally published at Ignatian Spirituality
In the busyness and demands of our daily lives, we often take for granted every breath we take and the briefest interactions we have. The practice of gratitude, however, invites us to be reflectively aware of the sacredness of even the smallest and seemingly insignificant moments. The practice of gratitude invites us to pause and identify where we have experienced our joys, peace, love, and challenges. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack and what went wrong to abundance and positivity, which can make a difference to our well-being. Gratitude reminds us that even amid suffering, there are threads of hope, kindness, and support woven into the fabric of our experiences.
A compliment, a smile from a stranger, the sound of laughter, the warmth of friendship, a thoughtful note, a shared meal, and an invitation for coffee are all moments we are reminded of God’s presence. Gratitude is not just a polite response to such moments, but a transformative action rooted in our relationship with God, self, and others. In cultivating a daily intentional practice of gratitude, we are reminded to find beauty in our existence, relationships, and the world.
We could consider simple practices like journaling, the Examen,
