Capacity for Gratitude

When I think of gratitude, I always catch myself thinking that I don’t show enough of it. I feel that I don’t thank people enough for what they do or have done for me in the past. I feel that I don’t appreciate what I have and am and can do enough, especially when I realize how wonderful the life that I am living is.

My boss comes to mind, who allows me to work remotely while I travel the world with my wife at the moment. For over a month now, we’ve been living in a little hut in southern Sweden.

My wife, with whom I have the deepest conversations about love, live, death, the universe, and everything. I imagine that ten years from now, thinking back over our time here in this little hut, what is going to stick out in my memory are our walks in the forest. Pondering our life, how we got here and where we might head next and in the distant future. Catching some mindful moments by just standing still and listening to the buzzing of life around us. All the animals’ noises above the background of water and wind rushing.

My parents, who guided me to grow into who I am and who supported me on every step of the way. I couldn’t have gotten the education that allowed me to get the job that allows all that I have here now without them. I wouldn’t have the capacity for love that allowed me to connect with the amazing woman I have at my side right now.

We rarely use our capacity for gratitude to its fullest.

But we can start any day with appreciating what we have more and thanking the people around us more. Over and over again. Sincere appreciation and gratitude can probably not be overdone.

Maybe a specific daily habit could help me to cultivate gratitude better. Ideas for that:

• Write/Call/Talk to someone to thank them for something they’ve done for you.
• Write down three things you’re grateful for (and why).

For the moment, to anyone who ever reads this: Thank you for your time. I appreciate that you followed my thoughts for the last minute or two.