Some days life feels heavy.

And when life feels heavy, gratitude isn’t always the easiest thing to find.

Sometimes I can focus on the positives. Other times, when I start to spiral, it takes me a while to get there. That’s when talking to my counselor or journaling usually helps bring me back to a better place.

Gratitude has definitely become more important to me over the past few years.

I try to focus on the things I do have.

A roof over my head.
Affordable housing.
Food in the house.

Even if life isn’t everything I once imagined it would be, I’m still here.

And that matters.

Every day I see people who are struggling even more than I am. That reminds me there is always something to be grateful for if we take a moment to look.

For me, a lot of gratitude comes from small everyday moments.

The 32 years I had with my sweet Nicole. It will never feel like enough time, but I am so grateful for every one of those years. I am grateful that she was the one who made me a mommy.

I am grateful for Sir Kit Kat, who has become such a big part of my life.

He’s not just my companion at home. He’s become part of my business too. You never quite know what kind of shenanigans we’ll get into next.

Grief has definitely changed how I see the ordinary parts of life.

It changes how you see everything.

Now I notice little things much more than I used to.

Sometimes it’s something simple, like finishing the dishes and waking up to a clean kitchen. That feeling of accomplishment is bigger than people might realize.

Other times it’s writing these blogs, working on my website, or spending time connecting with people online.

Those small moments matter.

Since starting this blog, I’ve also discovered something unexpected.

Every time I get an email saying someone commented, I feel like a toddler let loose in a toy department.

I get excited… and maybe a little nervous too.

Is it a troll?
Did they like what I wrote?
Did I say something wrong?

But when those comments are genuine, I can’t even explain how grateful I feel for them.

Knowing someone took the time to read, respond, and connect means more than I can put into words.

Another thing life has taught me is that people often overlook the small things.

But the truth is, the big moments in life are built on a thousand small steps.

So appreciating those small steps matters.

Gratitude can also shift your mindset on hard days.

When you can refocus your mind on something positive, even something tiny, it helps redirect your thoughts away from the negative.

It doesn’t erase the hard things.

But it reminds you that good things still exist too.

Today, I’m grateful for a few simple things.

I woke up.
Nicole.
Sir Kit Kat.
And all of you who take the time to read these blogs.

If you’re someone reading this who feels like there’s nothing in your life to be grateful for right now, I want you to hear this.

I see you.

I hear you.

And I understand you.

But I want you to know something else too.

I’m grateful for you.

So let’s start there.

Let’s be grateful that you’re here.
Let’s be grateful that you’re alive.
Let’s be grateful that you’re reading this right now.

That’s four things already.

What’s one more you could add to the list?

Because gratitude doesn’t mean everything is perfect.

It simply means you’re able to find small pieces of light in a world that sometimes feels very dark.

If you’re not sure where to begin, try this tomorrow morning.

Start your day by thinking of three things you’re grateful for.

They don’t have to be big.

Maybe it’s simply this:

“I woke up this morning.”

And sometimes, that’s the most important one of all.

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Your Turn

What are three things you’re grateful for today?

Share them in the comments. Sometimes hearing each other’s small moments of gratitude can brighten someone else’s day too.