Change is never easy, but if the pandemic taught us anything, it is the importance of gratitude, learning to appreciate the little things in life. As a registered nurse, I have always valued what many people take for granted. Working in hospitals and caring for families facing chronic, debilitating diseases has shown me that the ability to breathe on your own, wake up in the morning, walk unassisted, eat without help, and think clearly are not small blessings, they are miracles.

For those of us who work in mental health and dementia care, gratitude takes on an even deeper meaning. Something as simple as having the judgment to care for yourself, the dignity to dress independently, or the ability to make decisions that guide you into safe situations is a gift. The pandemic underscored this truth. I recall how heartbreaking it was when residents said, “I can’t hear you, take that thing off your face.” Wearing a mask meant they could no longer see my smile. I used to brighten people’s days with that smile, and suddenly it was hidden. I learned to say, “I am smiling behind this mask,” reminding myself that joy can still be communicated through kindness and presence.

Gratitude allows us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have. During the pandemic, people with vacation homes could not travel to them; we were all reminded that joy is not found in material possessions but in simple human connections. Negativity breeds more negativity, while gratitude and positivity generate peace, joy, and hope.

Across cultures, the “BER months” (September to December) are marked by celebrations of Thanksgiving and gratitude. Have you ever wondered why people feel the need to give thanks to God—or their gods—during this season? Gratitude is transformative. Imagine giving someone a gift: if they respond with joy and appreciation, you are inspired to give again. If they respond with indifference, your desire to give diminishes. The same is true in life—when we acknowledge our blessings, we open the door to receiving more.

I remember learning from Oprah Winfrey many years ago that keeping a gratitude journal is a powerful practice. While I don’t write in a journal myself, I begin each morning by thanking God for the gift of a new day and end my day with a prayer of gratitude.  I’ve always chosen to see my cup as half full. Even in difficult situations, I ask, “Could this have been worse?” That perspective has sustained me. For example, being in a car accident can be frightening, but gratitude reminds us to say, “Thank God I am alive.” Losing an opportunity is disappointing, but gratitude reminds us that as long as we have life, there are more opportunities ahead.

So how do we become more gratitude-minded? We can start small:

• End the day with reflection. Write down or recall three things you are thankful for.
• Pay it forward. When someone’s kindness touches you, extend kindness to another.
• Practice prayer or meditation. Regardless of your faith, a moment of stillness can shift your focus to blessings.

Gratitude is healing. It builds resilience, deepens joy, and helps us find light in the darkest of times. As we enter these months of thanksgiving, let us not wait for adversity to remind us of life’s blessings. Instead, let’s cultivate gratitude daily, and in doing so, invite peace, happiness, and hope into our lives.