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Doris Lim Writes Gratitude
15 Simple Things That Show the Power of Gratitude
When life feels hard, gratitude resets your mindset with 15 simple hacks, daily gratitude habits, and journal ideas.
It helps you feel calmer and happier, even when everything seems out of balance.
We all have good days.
Those moments when things go our way, meetings end early, and life just clicks.
The sky feels brighter, your mood lifts, and everything seems to flow.
Then there are the tough days.
Days when you wake up tired, spill your coffee, and feel unmotivated before the morning even starts.
Your plans fall apart, and you start to wonder, what’s the point?
That’s when gratitude matters most.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you and give thanks continuously.”
Gratitude isn’t only for the good times.
It’s the tool that helps us get through the challenging ones.
Why Gratitude Matters When Life Feels Heavy
Feeling frustrated or overwhelmed is part of being human.
But gratitude can change how we respond.
It shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s already good.
When we notice even small positives, our perspective transforms.
Gratitude doesn’t pretend everything is fine.
It’s about seeing hope in ordinary things. That simple mindset reset is powerful.
What Being Grateful Really Means
Being grateful means recognizing and appreciating the good in your life — both big and small.
It’s a conscious choice to focus on positives and stop giving power to the negatives.
Practicing gratitude can improve your mental health, reduce stress, and help you sleep better.
When your mood improves, your relationships strengthen naturally.
Gratitude also nurtures patience, kindness, and presence in everyday life.
The Benefits of Gratitude
Better mental health: Reduces stress and helps you focus on what’s going right.
Physical well-being: Linked to better sleep, stronger immunity, and lower blood pressure.
Closer relationships: Expressing thanks deepens connections with others.
Emotional resilience: Helps you recover faster from setbacks and see challenges differently.
How to Practice Gratitude Every Day
You don’t need grand gestures to live a grateful life.
Small, consistent actions can make a huge difference:
Keep a gratitude journal: Write three things you’re thankful for each day.
Reflect daily: Take a quiet moment before bed to notice something positive.
Say it aloud: Let others know you appreciate them.
Savor moments: Enjoy the taste of food, the warmth of the sun, or laughter.
Focus on your blessings: Avoid comparing yourself to others.
These daily gratitude habits add up over time and shift your mindset naturally.
Gratitude in Everyday Life
Imagine a rough morning.
It’s raining, your plans fell apart, and your laptop crashes.
You could let frustration take over.
Or you can pause and ask yourself,
“what can I still be thankful for?”
Maybe it’s a warm cup of coffee, a message from a friend, or simply that you’re breathing.
That pause is powerful.
Gratitude helps you see that life still holds beauty, even in chaos.
15 Simple Things to Be Grateful For Every Day
Here are simple, everyday blessings that remind us how much life already offers:
- A Roof Over Your Head – A warm, safe home is a gift we often overlook.
- Clean Water – Millions still live without it; every glass is worth appreciation.
- Healthy Food – Meals fuel your body and mind; savor every bite.
- Clothes to Wear – Comfort and warmth are small but meaningful luxuries.
- Restful Sleep – A peaceful night’s rest is one of life’s underrated treasures.
- Simple, Free Pleasures – A sunrise, birdsong, or morning walk can fill your day with quiet joy.
- The Internet – It connects, teaches, and lets us share gratitude worldwide.
- The Ability to Learn – Every day brings new lessons and opportunities to grow.
- Family and Friends – Their love, laughter, and support make life meaningful.
- Good Health – Appreciate your body for all it allows you to do.
- Kindness from Strangers – A smile, a door held open, or a kind word can change your day.
- Strength After Setbacks – Challenges make us stronger; gratitude transforms pain into growth.
- Nature’s Beauty – Trees, oceans, and skies remind us to slow down and breathe.
- Quiet Moments – Pauses help us reconnect with ourselves and the present.
- The Gift of Life – Simply being alive is reason enough to give thanks.
How Gratitude Builds Resilience
Gratitude doesn’t erase problems.
It equips us to face them with more grace.
It gives perspective, patience, and peace of mind.
When we build gratitude into our lives, we don’t just react to challenges.
We grow through them.
That’s the true power of gratitude.
How to Live a Grateful Life
Being thankful is more than a feeling; it’s a daily choice.
The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes.
Start by noting what you’re thankful for each day.
Say it aloud, and share appreciation with others.
Pay attention to small moments.
Savor simple pleasures, and notice the kindness around you.
Let gratitude guide your perspective.
Even when life feels uncertain, a grateful mindset makes life richer, calmer, and happier.
You have the power to start today.
Quick FAQs
What are the benefits of gratitude?
It boosts happiness, strengthens relationships, and improves overall health.
How can I practice gratitude?
Try small habits like journaling or listing three things you’re thankful for each day.
Why is a gratitude journal helpful?
Writing regularly trains your mind to notice positive moments and focus less on the negative.
14 Short Heart Touching Gratitude Stories For My Mother
Short heart-touching gratitude stories shared by Satya Nadella – CEO of Microsoft.
Each story may change our attitude toward life and make us better.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has opened up about how his journey with his son, who has special needs, has shaped his life and career.
Nadella’s son Zain, now 21, has cerebral palsy and is legally blind.
Zain’s pregnancy was complicated.
“I remember the year 1996 as a thrilling time.
My wife, Anu, was 25, and I was 29.
My career as an engineer was taking off while she was building her career as an architect,” Nadella wrote in a blog post.
“Even more exciting, however, was that Anu was pregnant with our first child.”
A DOOR CLOSES TO OPEN ANOTHER
Today at 7 AM, I woke up feeling ill but decided I needed the money, so I went to work.
At 3 PM, I got laid off.
On my drive home, I had a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was also flat.
A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, chatted, and offered me a job.
I start tomorrow.
A FATHER’S ADVICE
Today, my father told me, “Go for it and give it a try!
You don’t have to be a professional to build a successful product.
Amateurs started Google and Apple.
Professionals built the Titanic.
AFFECTION
Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed.
About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had kissed him since I was a little boy.
FALL AND RISE
Today, when I slipped on the wet tile floor, a boy in a wheelchair caught me before I slammed my head on the ground.
He said, “Believe it or not, that’s almost exactly how I injured my back three years ago.
GOODNESS & GRATITUDE
Today, after a 72-hour shift at the fire station, a woman hugged me at the grocery store.
When I tensed up, she realized I didn’t recognize her.
She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the sincerest smile and said,
“On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.”
INNOCENCE
Today, in her cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling.
I chuckled and asked, “Why?”
She replied, “So you can help me save the planet.”
I chuckled again and asked, “And why do you want to save the planet?”
“Because that’s where I keep all my stuff,” she said.
JOY
Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics.
I suddenly realized that I needed to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.
KINDNESS
Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling with my broken leg crutches and offered to carry my backpack and books for me.
He helped me across campus to my class, and as he was leaving, he said, “I hope you feel better soon.”
LOOKING BACK
Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’m working on for my Psychology class.
When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said,
“Success is when you look back at your life, and the MEMORIES make you smile.”
LOVE CONQUERS PAIN
After I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road, holding him and crying.
And just before he died.
He licked the tears off my face.
THE POWER OF UNIQUENESS
Today, I asked my mentor – a very successful businessman in his 70s – his top 3 tips for success.
He smiled and said, “Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing.
TOGETHERNESS
Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died.
She said, “I feel so loved right now.
We should have gotten together like this more often.”
TRY & YOU SHALL KNOW
I am blind by birth.
When I was eight years old, I wanted to play baseball.
I asked my father- “Dad, can I play baseball?”
He said, “You’ll never know until you try.”
When I was a teenager, I asked him, – “Dad, Can I become a surgeon?”
He replied, “Son, you’ll never know until you try.”
Today I am a Surgeon, just because I tried!
SHARING
Today, I was traveling in Kenya and met a Zimbabwe refugee.
He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over three days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy.
Then, my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating.
The first thing the man said was,
“WE CAN SHARE IT.”
Cheers to life!
In Conclusion:
You Can Go WrongThe Extra Mile With Gratitude Stories
With gratitude, whether we receive it from other people or experience it ourselves, we are deeply impacted.
Be kind.
Be appreciative of each other and count our blessings.
Bless others, too.
Make Gratitude a Principle of Your Life.
Share this and other stories to bless your friends and loved ones and make them smile.
Gratitude, when multiplied, returns a hundredfold and more.
Source:
Seven short stories shared by Satya Nadella [ CEO of Microsoft ]
14 Short Stories Shared By Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
The moment that forever changed our lives
Grateful People Cope Better With Stress
While many of us cannot change our circumstances immediately, generally grateful people cope better with stress.
Alphonse Karr, the 19th-century French novelist, wrote,
“Some people grumble that roses have thorns, I am grateful that thorns have roses.”
As I think of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances’ reactions to COVID-19, Karr’s idea is at my heart.
It is confirmed that the pandemic continues to weigh heavily on all of us.
Many of us focus on statistics daily and grow weary.
There is this rising anxiety that we need to keep in check.
As I thought of the framework to pen this, I also thought of a helpful framework you can adapt and apply.
Whether you write in a physical journal, on a notepad, or even on the phone, gratitude helps us refocus our energy.
What do you want to achieve in the last leg of the 100 days before we greet 2022?
I have taken two quiet moments out of my day every day to be still and reflect.
One in the morning and the other before I go to bed.
It helps me focus on the complete picture of my daily life.
Is Gratitude A Coping Skill?
Research suggests that grateful people are more skillful and able to cope better with stress and regulate their emotions.
Feeling grateful can bring us a host of benefits.
The top of the list includes better mental and physical health and improved relationships.
Being aware just for a few minutes each day is enough to practice stress-releasing techniques wherever you live and whatever your circumstances.
The Power of Gratitude Helps You Cope Better With Stress
As I started wiring, my three daily gratitude lists began with “I am grateful for ….. because….”
I noticed a change.
The power of gratitude kept anxiety from dominating my inner emotional voice.
As I became more thankful and looked for things I am grateful for in my daily life.
I began to formulate several gratitude strategies.
What Am I Grateful For Daily?
I used to take for granted that I would wake up in the morning.
Ever since I realized my mortality, I wake up with a smile and thank God for the gift of life.
I am breathing, my body works, and I can complete my morning routine.
What’s Not To Be Grateful For?
Having breakfast and a good cup of coffee are things I appreciate.
As I continued my day, I found more and more little things to be thankful for and noted my ability to share my gratitude with others.
We don’t need to be on social media or use an app to bring gratitude into our routines.
Since I started, I have made it a point to earn quick 10-minute phone check-ins with a friend or two every day.
It is easy to pick up the phone to tell a friend or family member that we miss them and are thankful for them.
When I see the delivery guy or garbage collectors, AND when I look in the mirror, I say “thank you” aloud.
In other words, carefully pick up that rose, be aware of the thorn, and offer it to someone you love.
As you do, recognize that although you might prefer thornless roses, your robust gratitude practice doesn’t mean you must ignore the thorns to enjoy the beautiful blooms.
How Does Gratitude Help You Cope Better With Stress?
I’ve been encouraged to start gratitude journaling.
For people who may be stressed amid the pandemic, you may want to consider starting a gratitude journal.
Every morning, without fail, I think about what I am grateful for and then jot it down in my journal.
People often say, ‘What do you write? I don’t know what to write.’
So, I start my journal with the day and date.
One day I wrote, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” Ordinary days, I write, ‘It is beautiful, sunny, maybe it’s raining.’
Keeping a gratitude journal amid the pandemic has helped me maintain an upbeat attitude with a positive mindset.
A journal gives us a sense of release.
I’ve stopped watching all the news as it was just so heavy.
Seeing all the COVID-19 cases and all the doom and gloom gets to everyone.
Amid the growing case counts and lives lost, it can be hard to find the good in the world,
With all the negative news of bad things happening, it is good to start with clarity and refocus on attracting goodness.
The journal is a way to keep track of all the golden nuggets that happen to me daily.
I want to encourage anyone struggling with pandemic stress to do the same.
Writing down what you are grateful for helps lift your spirits.
When the mind starts to go to dark places, you take your journal and read the highlights to remind yourself of all the good things that happen.
When faced with a negative situation or emotion, I flip the pages of my gratitude journal and find the silver lining.
We must train our minds to focus on what is excellent and praiseworthy and celebrate it repeatedly.
Morning Gratitude Routine HHelpsYou Cope Better With Stress
I work out a little every morning to get my blood pumping, my arms swinging, and my legs marching.
Working out helps reduce stress.
I listen to quick 55-minutemotivation tapes or reread my journals.
The simple act gives me a pick-me-up when I need an influx of positivity.
Our gratitude journals can serve as a reminder that there is still much in the world to be grateful for during trying times.
Healthy Approaches to Cope Better with Stress
Take little breaks
Break from watching, reading, or tuning in to the news and social media.
Take care of yourself.
Eat healthily, work out, get enough sleep, and give yourself a break if you feel stressed or overwhelmed.
Take care of your body.
Take deep breaths, stretch your body, or meditate.
Try to eat fresh, well-balanced meals.
Exercise frequently.
Get enough sleep at night.
Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
Continue with routine preventive procedures (COVID-19 vaccinations, annual health checks, and cancer screenings)
Could you make time to relax and take it easy?
Try some new activities you enjoy.
Talk to others.
Share your troubles and how you feel and cope with a parent, friend, mentor, physician, or minister.
Connect with others.
Talk with professional individuals or close friends you trust about your troubles and how you are going through them.
Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations.
If social distancing measures exist, try connecting online through social media, phone calls, or even letters.
Avoid stimulants and alcohol.
These may appear to help, but they can create added problems and increase your stress.
Recognize when you require more support.
If problems remain or you are considering suicide, speak to a psychologist, social worker, or professional counselor.
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