Sixtysomething S2 Episode 12 - Embracing Gratitude

Sixtysomething_S2_Ep12_The Power of Gratitude

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Hello, friends, and happy Thanksgiving! I’m so glad that we’re together. For me—and for most of us—Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, a time to gather around the table, a time to give thanks, and, of course, a time to eat way too much.

But gratitude is what it’s all about. And it’s so much more than something to bring out just for a holiday. Gratitude is a mindset. It’s a practice. A way of living that can truly transform your life.

Today, I want to share my thoughts on gratitude and how it’s changed my life. I’ll talk about the challenges I’ve faced, the lessons I’ve learned, and how embracing gratitude has brought me such joy and peace. My hope [00:01:00] is that you’ll find inspiration in what I’m sharing—not as an expert, but as a friend walking this road alongside you.

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s about recognizing the goodness in your life and truly appreciating it. It’s about noticing the little moments that make life beautiful.

Gratitude isn’t just a reaction to good things happening. It’s a choice, a way of looking at the world. And here’s the best part: you don’t have to wait for everything in your life to be perfect to feel grateful. Gratitude can exist alongside challenges, struggles, and even heartbreak.

So, why is gratitude so important?

There’s research that shows [00:02:00] gratitude can improve your mental, emotional, and even physical health. People who regularly practice gratitude report feeling happier, sleeping better, and building stronger relationships.

But beyond the science, gratitude just feels good. It helps you focus on what you have rather than what you lack. It softens your heart and makes it easier to find peace and joy, even when life isn’t perfect.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. For much of my life, I was always striving for the next goal, always focused on what I hadn’t yet achieved. And while ambition is a great thing, it kept me from fully appreciating the blessings in my life. I thought I had to achieve happiness when, really, [00:03:00] I just had to notice it.

Here’s the thing: gratitude doesn’t mean life is easy or that you can ignore the hard stuff. It doesn’t erase pain or frustration, but it helps you see beyond them. It helps you see the big picture.

Some of the most profound gratitude comes from going through the hardest times.

When my mom and dad passed away, of course, I was heartbroken. But as I grieved and moved to the other side of my sadness, I found myself realizing how deeply grateful I was for the time we had together, for the lessons they taught me, for the way they loved me, and for all the memories with them that I’ll carry with me forever.

When I’ve felt the ache of distance from loved ones or [00:04:00] the sting of feeling left out, I’ve reminded myself of the connections I do have and the love that’s always there—even if it feels far away sometimes.

That’s become my superpower: finding the silver linings and celebrating them every day.

Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. It’s about finding the good in the midst of hard times and letting that good sustain you.

It wasn’t until my sixties that I was able to fully embrace gratitude as a way of life.

As I got older, I faced limitations I didn’t see coming. Some doors that I thought would always be open began to close. At first, it was terribly [00:05:00] frustrating and so disappointing. But then I started to notice the amazing blessings all around me.

My loving husband, who’s been my rock for more than 30 years. A home filled with comfort that I love. A sweet Golden Retriever who brings me joy every day. My hobbies and interests that keep my mind and my heart engaged. And a family who are all happy and healthy.

I realized I didn’t need to achieve anything more. I already had everything I needed to be happy. That shift in my perspective changed everything.

I feel so truly blessed every day.

Don’t get me wrong—I still have goals and ambitions. [00:06:00] I think I always will. It’s who I am. And yes, I still get upset about things, as you well know. But I now find joy in the climb rather than only in reaching the mountaintop.

When troubles come or I feel sad, I’ll reflect for a while. But I always end up thinking, “Look at what I have. I am so blessed.”

So, how can you cultivate gratitude in your own life, especially if it feels like a challenge?

Start small. Take a moment every day to reflect on something you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as a kind word, a good meal, a great movie, or a beautiful sunset.

You might even try keeping a gratitude journal. At the end of the day, write down three things [00:07:00] you’re grateful for. Some days, that’ll be easy. Other days, it’ll take a little effort. And on the tough days, it might just be, “I made it through today.”

Over time, you’ll find yourself noticing blessings you may have overlooked before.

Another powerful practice is expressing your gratitude to others. Tell someone you appreciate them. Write a note, send a text, or give them a call. Gratitude has a way of deepening our connections and strengthening our relationships.

Gratitude is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. And just like exercise, it takes consistency to see results.

The more you practice gratitude, the more it becomes a part of who you are. It shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s already there. It helps you find [00:08:00] beauty in the everyday and joy in the little things.

And the best part? Gratitude is contagious. When you cultivate it in your own life, it naturally spreads to the people around you.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the blessings in your life. What are you grateful for today?

Maybe it’s the big things—family, health, your home. Maybe it’s the little things—a good book, a favorite song, or a peaceful moment.

As Tom Cruise said in Vanilla Sky, “It’s the little things. There’s nothing bigger.”

Whatever it is, take a moment to really appreciate it.

And as we move beyond Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll carry this practice with you. Gratitude isn’t just for the holidays. It’s a way of life, a way of seeing the world, [00:09:00] a way of finding joy and peace no matter what comes your way.

And I want you to be happy.

Before I go, I want to say how grateful I am for you. For listening, for sharing this time with me, and for being a part of this community.

This Thanksgiving, let’s not just count our blessings. Let’s keep finding the silver linings and living in gratitude. Let’s let it shape our thoughts, our actions, and our lives.

Thank you for being here, my friends. Happy, happy Thanksgiving.

I’ll see you next time on Sixtysomething.