Category Archives: Gratitude

See the beauty in the everyday

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“See the beauty in the everyday. It will not last forever.”

—Stephen St. Amant, Author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Anna Savina

Today’s quote is both a reminder and a gift.

Life moves quickly. The morning light shimmering through the window, a shared laugh at the dinner table, or the sound of leaves crunching underfoot in autumn — all hold fleeting beauty.

Too often we rush past, chasing the “big moments” and missing the simple treasures that make our days whole. Gratitude begins when we pause, breathe, and notice what’s right here — right now.

It’s life’s impermanence that makes it so precious. Honor, celebrate, and live each moment fully. Once they pass, they become fading memories.

EXERCISE:

Today, try having three mindful meals, silence electronics, and remove distractions. Notice the colors, textures, aromas, and flavors of each bite. How can this exercise help you more fully savor the beauty and pleasures of other everyday areas of your life?

Don’t discount the past

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Don’t discount the past. There is no such thing as a wrong turn or a dead end. Each step along the way has brought you to this very moment.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Hadija

Don’t discount the past — each moment, every twist (and even detours) have shaped the person you are today.

There are no wrong turns or dead ends if each experience teaches, strengthens, and deepens understanding.

Rather than regretting decisions or wishing for a different path, honor the journey that brought you here.

Challenges, successes, and failures all offer wisdom and growth, weaving together the unique story only you can share.

Embrace your past with gratitude, knowing it has prepared you for all that lies ahead.

This very moment is the sum of every step taken, a testament to resilience and self-discovery.

Move forward with confidence, trusting that your story is unfolding just as it should.

EXERCISE:

Explore The Power of Regret by Dan Pink to embrace and understand how regrets from the past can help you make smarter choices, perform better, and live a more meaningful life.

Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet

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“Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.”

—Thich Nhat Hanh, late Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, teacher

Image from Unsplash by Sandro Gonzalez

Today’s quote offers us a beautiful invitation to live with presence and gratitude.

Imagine each step you take as a gentle embrace, honoring the very ground that supports you. This simple shift can transform an ordinary walk into a mindful practice, a moment of connection with ourselves and the world around us.

Try moving a bit more slowly today — soften your steps, pay attention to the sensations underfoot, and let gratitude fill your heart for this beautiful planet we share. In doing so, we nurture not only the earth, but our spirit as well.

EXERCISE:

Take a slow barefoot walk today. Try exploring different surfaces such as grass, sand, or carpet, and reflect with gratitude on all the good things in your life.

Gratitude wakes us up to the beauty and good things in life

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Gratitude wakes us up to the beauty and good things in life. We need to choose its light over and over again especially when things seem dark.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Donald Giannatti

Focusing on the good things in life offers numerous benefits for mental, emotional and physical health.

Gratitude and positive thinking are linked to lower rates of depression, reduced stress, and greater resistance to illness, contributing to our overall well-being.

They enhance resilience and coping strategies during hardships, improving mood and reducing toxic thoughts.

By focusing on being grateful, we can re-wire our brains to detect and appreciate good experiences more readily, counteracting the frequent negative bias we often demonstrate.

EXERCISE:

Consider starting each day this week with a gratitude reflection before getting out of bed.

Compliment this effort by using a gratitude journal before bed to lighten and brighten your world and the world of those around you.

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

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“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

—Marcel Proust, 20th century French novelist, literary critic, and essayist

Image from Unsplash by Megan Watson

Many cultures around the world celebrate holidays that share similarities with the American Thanksgiving, focusing on themes of gratitude, harvest, and family gatherings.

  • In South Korea it’s called Chuseok
  • In Ghana it’s called Homowu
  • In Germany it’s called Erntedankfest
  • In Barbados it’s called The Crop Over Festival
  • In Japan it’s called Kinro Kausha Nohi

Regardless of where we are in the world, to reap a harvest requires the planting of seeds and tending to the land.

To have bountiful relationships with family and friends it’s important to show gratitude to the charming gardeners in our lives that feed us in both body and soul.

EXERCISE:

Who are the charming gardeners in your world, and how will you demonstrate your gratitude for the happiness and joy they bring to your life this Thanksgiving Day and throughout the holiday season?

 

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy

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“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

—Marcel Proust, 20th Century French novelist

Image from Unsplash by CDC

A few weeks ago, Wendy and I watched our two terrific grandchildren so that my daughter and her husband could have a special night out for Valentine’s Day.

Following a logistically challenging dinner at a local restaurant, we began a bedtime routine in which it looked like things were never going to settle down! With teeth eventually brushed and matching Valentine PJs on, we began the ritual of a hopefully relaxing bedtime story, or two….

Instead of Pop Pop or Grandma reading the books, our 5 ½ year old grandson took the lead. His tender and loving approach with his petite 2 ½ year old sister settled things down and delighted everyone!

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life that make you happy?

How do they act as charming gardeners who make your soul blossom?

Feel free to reply to this post with an example of your own and let its memory brighten your day.

“You should have something to show for each day you were lucky enough to live.”

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“You should have something to show for each day you were lucky enough to live.”

—Ryan Holiday, American marketer, podcaster, Stoic philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Guille Álvarez

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that the new year is off to a great start!

Beyond the gifts you received—and perhaps a few extra pounds—what else do you have to show for these days?

How lucky and grateful do you feel each day you roll, step, or leap out of bed?

In the year ahead, how will you bring greater intention and purpose to your days to contribute even more within your various communities?

EXERCISE:

Consider setting up a show-and tell time with family and friends.

How can your individual and collective efforts help everyone to feel even luckier to be alive?

Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings

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“Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

—William Arthur Ward, 20th Century American motivational writer

Image from Unsplash by Simon Maage

As we enter the holiday season, my gratitude goes to all of you for being loyal readers of The Quotable Coach.

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a reminder to appreciate the abundance in our lives.

Please take the opportunity to reflect on the people and experiences that have made you rich.

In the spirit of thankfulness, I hope that you will spread kindness, love, and positivity throughout your communities, and that it resonates and takes root throughout the world.

 

Friday Review: Gratitude

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Friday Review: Gratitude

How have you made gratitude an integral part of your daily life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

Being grateful doesn’t have to be some grandiose thing. Examine little pleasures and let them land in your awareness.

 

 

 

“No amount of regret changes the past, no amount of anxiety changes the future, any amount of gratitude changes the present.”

 

 

 

“When you take things for granted, the things you are granted get taken.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own

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“Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.”

—Harold Coffin, 20th century humor columnist for the Associated Press

My Dad — Marvin Demp

A week from today will be the second anniversary of my dad’s passing. Not a day goes by without numerous reminders of this wonderful man.

  • He would frequently tell me why he felt like the richest man in the world
  • His wealth was primarily intrinsic and based on the of love for and from family and friends
  • When others were doing well, he always wished them well without a hint of envy
  • He understood and embraced the abundance in his life and he was perpetually grateful

EXERCISE:

Where do you feel blessed in your life?

Where may the heavy clouds of envy prevent you from experiencing the many riches within arm’s reach?