Long before gratitude became a buzzword in psychology or a spiritual mantra, it was woven into cultural rituals. The first widely recognized “Thanksgiving” in North America took place in 1621, when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people shared an autumn harvest feast. For more than two centuries afterward, colonies and states held their own days of thanksgiving before Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday in 1863, during the Civil War.

And here’s a fun detail: the very idea of “days of thanksgiving” actually traces back to the English Reformation in the 1500s, when Puritans replaced church feast days with special occasions to give thanks for providence. (See, I told you I was a random facts nerd.)

But here’s the deeper truth: gratitude was never meant to be confined to a single holiday. It is a practice, a way of seeing, a lens through which we can reframe our lives every day.

 Gratitude as Cognitive Reframing

Psychologists call this cognitive reframing: the ability to reinterpret challenges in ways that reduce stress and open us to growth. Research shows that gratitude activates brain regions linked to reward and resilience, helping us shift from scarcity thinking to abundance.

Gratitude doesn’t erase hardship—it changes how we see it. Instead of focusing on what’s missing, gratitude highlights what remains, what sustains, and what can grow. This shift in perspective is powerful: it builds resilience, strengthens relationships, and creates momentum for more.

Gratitude as Spiritual Practice

Spiritual teachers have long echoed this truth. Rumi once wrote: “Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.”

Gratitude is not just a polite gesture—it is a spiritual doorway. When we practice it daily, we align ourselves with abundance, humility, and trust in life’s unfolding. Meister Eckhart, the Christian mystic, said: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”

Gratitude opens the heart, allowing us to see abundance even in scarcity, and to trust that life is always offering gifts, even in disguise.

 Gratitude as Momentum for More

Gratitude is not just about noticing what we have—it’s about creating momentum for what comes next. When we learn to be grateful for the present, we shift our energy from scarcity to abundance. This shift opens doors: new opportunities, deeper relationships, and a greater sense of purpose.

Gratitude doesn’t just soothe the heart—it propels it forward. It gives us courage to dream bigger, to risk more, and to trust that life is unfolding with generosity.

 My Gratitude List Today

Gratitude is most powerful when practiced daily. Here’s my list for today—simple, ordinary blessings that become extraordinary when seen through the lens of gratitude:

•  My adult kids — I’m grateful for our relationship, the kind of people they’ve become, and the joy they bring me.

• A fulfilling career — Work that has purpose and service, allowing me to contribute meaningfully.

•  My fur babies — Their snuggles remind me of unconditional love.

•  Friends — Companions who give me laughter, support, and connection.

•  Healing — Profound healing that has become intertwined with my purpose.

•  Family — My mom, sister, her husband, nieces, and nephews who bring joy and laughter.

•  My fireplace in winter — A symbol of warmth and comfort.

•  The color of the leaves in fall — Nature’s reminder of beauty in change.

•  The first cup of coffee in the morning — A ritual of grounding and delight.

•  Chilling on Sundays — Rest that restores the soul.

•  A good novel — The joy of being transported into another world.

•  Learning something new — The thrill of growth and discovery.

•  New therapists I’ve met and networked with — Connections that expand my perspective and deepen my purpose.

•  Interns I’ve mentored — Gratitude for the chance to guide, inspire, and learn alongside them.

•  New people I’ve met this year — Fresh relationships that bring energy, wisdom, and unexpected joy.

 How to Begin Your Own Gratitude Practice

Gratitude is not just a feeling—it’s a discipline. Like meditation or prayer, it deepens with practice. Research shows that consistent gratitude rewires the brain, strengthening neural pathways linked to joy and resilience. Spiritually, gratitude opens the heart, aligning us with abundance and trust in life’s unfolding.

Here are simple ways to begin:

 1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

• Write down 3–5 things you’re grateful for each day.

• Include both big blessings (family, career) and small joys (the first sip of coffee, autumn leaves).

• Over time, this trains your mind to notice abundance everywhere.

 2. Reframe Challenges

• When facing hardship, ask: “What hidden gift or lesson might be here?”

• This is cognitive reframing—shifting perspective from loss to growth.

• Spiritually, it’s surrender: trusting that even pain can carry wisdom.

 3. Express Gratitude Out Loud

• Tell people you appreciate them.

• Gratitude strengthens relationships and creates a ripple effect of kindness.

• As Rumi said: “Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.”

 4. Create Rituals of Thanks

• Begin or end your day with a gratitude prayer, meditation, or reflection.

• Light a candle, sit by your fireplace, or pause with your morning coffee.

• Rituals anchor gratitude into your daily rhythm.

 5. Practice Gratitude in Stillness

• In silence, breathe deeply and name what sustains you.

• This connects gratitude not just to thought, but to presence.

• Spiritually, it’s a way of aligning with abundance consciousness.

 Closing Thought

Gratitude is the doorway to abundance, momentum, and healing. It reframes hardship, magnifies joy, and opens us to dreaming again. When betrayal or pain makes us lose faith in ourselves, gratitude is the practice that restores confidence and trust. Each “thank you” is a step forward, a way of reframing life so that abundance becomes visible.

Gratitude is not passive—it is active momentum. Begin small, practice daily, and watch how gratitude transforms not only your perspective—but your entire life.