Little Reminders of Love, Joy, and Connection

Have you ever tried to start a gratitude practice (because everybody says it will be good for you) and ended up just writing the same things over and over in your journal every day? “I’m grateful for my dog; I’m grateful for my family; I’m grateful for nature”. It’s true, but you’re not really feeling the benefits.

One way to break through is to think small. Writer Laura Alary tells of how, learning to practice gratitude, she became bored and a little resentful trying to come up with things she was thankful for. Then she started naming small things: “the first ripe peach of the season; the smell of the coffee beans when I opened the fresh bag; the gentle way the woman on the bus spoke to her little son …”

“Specific things are the sparks that ignite the flame of heartfelt gratitude,” Alary says. “We just have to practise looking for them.”

So with that in mind, Threads of Life challenged our staff to name the small, specific things we are thankful for. Here’s our list – see if any of them resonate with you. Think of it as a little gratitude starter kit. You’re welcome!

• “I’m so grateful for the hugs from my daughters — feeling their arms around me makes everything else fade, and for a moment, time just slows.” – Eugene
• “I’m grateful for my dog Molly, who regularly reminds me of what’s most important in this life: love and affection, leisurely walks, and a good breakfast. “ – Sarah
• “I am grateful for receiving the simple random text ‘I love you ’ from my kids who are at university, clear across the country.” –  Sandra
• “I’m grateful for my 85-year-old neighbour who is teaching me to crochet.” – Georgina
• “When my traumatized rescue dog Bella does a little dance to show she’s happy.” – CK
• “I am grateful for the long car rides to my kids’ sports where even as teenagers, they use this time to keep me in the loop of what is happening in their life.” – Kimberly
• “Fresh tomato sandwiches in the summer; seeing the burning bush in my yard change to bright red in the fall.” – Aubrey
• “I am grateful that every Friday we see my parents for ‘cocktail hour’ – to share some food, have a drink and catch up on the week we’ve all had.” – Heather L 
• “I’m grateful for the lilac hedge outside my office window that looks and smells amazing in the spring, and provides a landing spot for many birds throughout the year.” – Lorna
• “I’m grateful that my family is healthy, and for the belly laughs shared with friends that make even ordinary days feel special.” – Bailey 
• “I am grateful for the little paw that wakes me up with a pat or nudge every morning on the top of my head. Who needs an alarm clock?  Spook is my 14-year-old cat that is deaf and has health problems. The day I don’t receive that pat on the head will be a sad day.” – Sharon
• “Having just had breakfast… I’m grateful for the hands that made the dim sum, specifically the ha cao (shrimp dumplings) that were full of plump, sweet, juicy shrimp with a bit of chew as my teeth bit in and cracked the outside layer unleashing a tantalizing taste of Hong Kong-style ha cao that created a longing to hop onto a plane bound for Hong Kong.” – Elaine 
• “Grateful to the new tulip tree we planted in the yard three years ago – truly amazing to watch how fast it grows. The beautiful plate-sized leaves that turn yellow this time of year are absolutely stunning.” – Karen   
• “I am grateful the street lights are pointed away from my backyard. On most nights I can see thousands of stars, and that brings me a sense of comfort and stillness.” – Thomas 
• “I am grateful for the crisp fall weather, which means crunching leaves, warm tea and cozy blankets.” – Heather R.