GRATITUDE

“Be grateful.” It’s advice thrown around so casually that it almost feels like a command. But gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s not about denying your pain with fake positivity. Real gratitude is quieter. It’s noticing a warm cup of coffee, the sound of rain, the smile of someone you love—even when the bigger picture feels heavy. Gratitude and pain can coexist. One doesn’t erase the other. The trick is not to force it, but to practice it gently. Write down one thing each day, however small. Over time, these moments weave a cushion of perspective. Life is not either joy or suffering. It’s both. Gratitude is just a reminder of the joy that still lives alongside.