What memories come to mind when you reflect on your life? In today’s fast-paced world, it often feels like we are constantly rushing, pursuing our desires and comforts, or merely going through the motions without truly being present in the moment. After spending over a decade in the United States, I came to the realization that I couldn’t recall many of the precious moments in my life. My mind was consumed by worries and stresses, leading to a restless existence despite having everything I needed.
However, what if I told you that now, with very little, I feel an immense sense of contentment and peace? It may sound surprising, but during my darkest moments, I discovered an incredibly powerful remedy: gratitude. Gratitude can be described “as an emotion, an attitude, a moral virtue, a habit, a personality trait, or a coping response.” The word gratitude comes from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness and refers to “kindness, generousness, gifts, the beauty of giving and receiving, or getting something for nothing” (Pruyser, 1976, p. 69). Gratitude is a profound form of sincere appreciation. That’s the essence of gratitude—the ability to notice and appreciate the things we once took for granted. By acknowledging the goodness in our lives, no matter how small or significant, we shift our focus towards cherishing special moments, people, and things that bring us joy and make us feel loved.
Often, we find ourselves thankful to someone for something, but the true magic happens when we genuinely feel grateful. It’s like a magical process: when we express our appreciation and consistently practice gratitude, we begin to notice more and more things, people, and moments—both positive and negative—that we are grateful for. The practice of gratitude enables us to see the love, kindness, and simple abundance in our lives. It fosters happiness, contentment, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
As Melody Beattie eloquently stated, ‘Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity… It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.’
“Gratitude is a daily practice that transforms
ordinary moments into extraordinary blessings.”

Join us for an inspiring event that will transform your life through the incredible power of gratitude. Discover how embracing gratitude can bring positivity, happiness, and fulfillment into your daily existence.
Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM (Central Daylight Time)
Location: 6614 West Florissant Avenue, Jennings, MO 63136
During this in-person gathering, we will explore various techniques and practices to cultivate gratitude in our lives. Learn from personal stories of speakers and guests who will share their personal experiences.
Through engaging discussions, interactive activities, and practical exercises, you will gain valuable insights on how to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. Discover how expressing gratitude can improve relationships, enhance overall well-being, and bring more joy into your life.
Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on a transformative journey towards a more grateful and fulfilling life. Join us at the Transform Your Life with Gratitude event and unlock the incredible power of gratitude.
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