For the longest time, I resented gratitude.
I thought it was trite, contrived and honestly shallow. It felt akin to sin confessions, an empty list of bullet points repeated without much thought.
Gratitude felt like spiritual bypassing so I rejected it entirely. I thought I would be skipping past the pain with empty platitudes and disembodied recitations.
But gratitude has made significant difference in my life - a pause in presence to focus on what I do already have and what I have already manifested. This inspires more hope that I can continue to take steps towards the life I want.
What I’ve learned about gratitude is…
Gratitude invites us to see the ordinary as extraordinary. Imagine looking at your life as if you were your own ancestor—someone from a time when even the simplest conveniences we take for granted would have been unimaginable. If they could step into your shoes, they would be awe-struck by the miracles woven into your daily routine. If we approached each day with the wonder of our ancestors, we’d see our lives differently.
Imagine yourself as your own ancestor, walking into your kitchen and seeing running water at the turn of a faucet. Endless clean water, right at your fingertips, would seem like magic. Picture the amazement when you, as your own ancestor, can pick up a phone and instantly connect with someone you love. No waiting weeks for a letter, no wondering if it got lost along the way—just the immediacy of hearing a familiar voice.
Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. It allows us to appreciate the deep connections we share with others, helping us recognize that we are living in a time of unprecedented possibility.
So in honour of holding the Both-And, here are 3 things that I am grateful for:
For all the work, support and alignment that has allowed me to travel for the past two years with my partner and our two dogs. The ways we’ve grown together through these experiences are so unique and inimitable.
For my education - to be an educated woman with a graduate degree when the women in my ancestry couldn’t even have a bank account never ceases to inspire awe in me. I am so thankful for my education.
For my friendships - they are deep, abiding and authentic. I have 4 friends and they are magnificent. They have been with me through so much. I am challenged, inspired and encouraged with them - they are continual reminders of what love is.