As we move through life, when the darkening clouds of gloom and the tunnel of discouragement appear to end in nothingness, it is the light of appreciation that presents itself, and ultimately keeps us on the path of gratitude. Gratitude is a timeless practice revered as a source of wisdom by the greatest cultures and faiths of our world; it is a light that shows why every moment of life carries a sacred aspect, and how we can move with greater reassurance, wisdom, and happiness.
Here, stored in the millennia of quotations from philosophers, poets and spiritual guides from around the world, are some of the best quotes about being grateful.
- “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything.” — Thomas Merton
- Whatever we are waiting for — peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance — will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with open and grateful hearts. — Ellen Vaughn
- Prayer ‘is the act of being silent until you are silenced, the act of choosing gratitude until you are grateful, and the act of giving praise to God until you are praise itself.’ — Richard Rohr
- ‘Happiness is the consequence of gratitude.’
- Gratitude is a torch. If you go out into your yard at night and turn on the torch, you suddenly see what’s there. It was always there, but you couldn’t see in the dark. — Dawna Markova
- It used to occur to me, I always assumed, but now I see that gratitude can be practiced — it’s a discipline; the conscious decision to recognize that everything I am and have is a gift, and so to celebrate every moment. — Henry Nouwen
All of these quotations are lanterns for us in the great maze of being, their flickering flames the memory of gratitude. However, inspiration is not enough. It calls us to action, to wakefulness and alertness and attentiveness. Sent to sleep by our dreams, we can awaken from them by awaking — from our unconscious to consciousness.
In the spirit of appreciation, we invite you to look inside and listen to what you hear. Please share one of the quotes above that speak your heart, write it in your gratitude journal, feel it, and share it with us. Then pause and consider: What does it tell me about myself and my life in this moment? How can I live more gratefully by embracing its significance and making it part of my daily gratitude practice?
Along this path of discovery and appreciation is to be inspired by the wisdom of the ages, penetrated by the torchlight of inspiration, and absorbed in the loving warmth of gratitude, because the essential presence of gratitude offers the possibility of anchoring oneself in the profusion of called-for presence. Loved in this way, the gift of the moment will open itself.
Wrote with love
Anas