Sweeping the yard – it was the first thing I had this morning and I notice it was sufficient for the present moment. House, broom, yard and healthy to do it.
I played ball with my dog. The sun was rising.
My husband prepared pure coffee and we drank. We observed different birds in the sky. I was gratefull and I realized, sufficiently and fully – that moment.I found perfect books to study about my new job.
I can breathe. I paused my studies to have tea and eat a slice of bread.

It was so fast… my dad called me and said: please, hurry! I’m taking the mom to the hospital.
This event happened during the morning. Long time waiting for news… I was seat in the reception. Early in the morning the doctor asked for me and told: your mother had a heart attack and it is so serious. She will be hospitalized in the intensive care unit.
I asked: Can I see her? And the doctor answered: just for 5 minutes.

I deep breath and entered. I looked her face, completely pale whitout vitality. I held her hands, we prayed and left my rosary with her.

After 3 days she went straight home after her hospital discharge.
My mom is our pillar in faith and hope. I’m very scared in the same time I’m very grateful for her life. I can feel the love and I can see the beauty in the face of so much uncertainty and pain.

Hello Laura
Thanks to share your nice and deep story. Remindering me, my own story, exactly one year ago, and I really agree completely with you; Gratitude definitely isn’t a switch to turn on only when things go well. It’s a light that shines in darkness too.

One year ago, in July more specifically, I was in the same machine as you – the MRI machine. In my case, because of a lot pain in my back. The physical pain was unbearable, I couldn’t think clearly… oh God, it was so terrible.

During the time in the MRI machine, I thought by myself; ok, I’m gonna die, so, I need try do my best here. In order to prepare my “RIP”, I started my list I’m grateful for. Immediately my heart and feelings kept calm and peace.

It was one year ago, and after that, many things happened and I feel better now a days. No pain any more. I would say that strong pain was transformed into a strong and grateful heart.

I’m here in Brazil, reading about your beautiful and grateful heart, and I’m sure how wonderful it is – choose the grateful living in all moments of our lifes.

With fraternal love, Cintia

Dear Kristi

I’m grateful for read your article! Amazing, lovely refletion. It’s a Christmas gift…. during all new year, all life.
And I’m able to understand the words, I mean, the essential meaning.
I’m so grateful I have learned to be grateful in each day of my life! Day by day, different experiences and many opportunities to be attention and to be grateful for.

I’m grateful for all Gratefulness Team.
With fraternal love, Cintia.

When I notice the violence, hungry children, loneliness… I ask myself, How is it possible open my heart? Some days it is so hard! My heart has scars and some are not healed.
I don’t want compare, for example, I’m grateful because I live in a safe place and I have food and others don’t. Or living alienated, ignoring the life around me.
Every single day is a special and unique, in order to learn about open my heart.
I believe it mean live with faith that everything is perfect, respecting the destiny of each person.
I really feel that sometimes I can’t, but it’s necessary. Because when I don’t share love, fraternal love, I get sick. The open heart giving love and compassion is my medicine.

I think the beauty is what I can feel with my heart. It’s a daily practice; see and find the beauty is like to search a treasures.

For example, last Sunday my dad was drunk, he is alcoholic. In first moment, when I looked his face and I saw he “walking crooked” I really felt sadness. But, I tried to find the love.
I looked again and it happened! I could see my dad, his soul, a man marked by the struggles of life.

Despite the pain and everything involved, a story of life, my dad, a life, beauty.