What does being grateful mean to you?
Being grateful begins with awareness and materializes through perspective. It’s openly acknowledging many things we take for granted, like our senses. Gratefulness is a response to the awe and magic of life itself, to breath, to vision, to having ears to hear with. It’s a pure appreciation of the simple pleasures and joys of life.

How has your understanding of gratitude evolved over time?
It has shifted from reflexive and transactional to a deep and abiding appreciation for the sheer magnificence of everything!

Right now, at this moment, what are three things you are grateful for and why?

• My keyboard: it’s my gateway to wonder, curiosity, and The Universe!
• Friendships: because they nourish my soul and warm my heart!
• Coffee: it’s a soothing, warm liquid that smells like fresh ground heaven

How do you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine?
I begin and end my day with three intentional “Thank-Yous” to the Great Mystery and the Serenity Prayer. This sets the tone for me to attract and experience gratitude throughout my day and abundance as I sleep. There is something magical about closing your eyes “in gratitude.”

Why do you believe it is important to express gratitude?
Because even though it’s technically considered a noun, I believe it can only be experienced as a verb. “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and never giving it.” ~William Arthur Ward

How does expressing gratitude relate to passion and the feeling of love?
When the word “Grampa” is uttered by either one of my grandkids, my heart lights up in anticipation of their next words.

How has gratitude influenced your personal and professional relationships?
In my personal life, gratitude has become a guiding principle for everything I do. I openly and regularly express my gratitude with words and actions. In my professional life, I have incorporated my personal voicemail greeting into my professional life. My message is, “I can’t come to the phone right now, but if you tell me what you’re grateful for, I’ll return your call as quickly as possible.”

Can you describe a time when your expression of gratitude significantly impacted someone?
I’ve been a cancer support group facilitator for over a quarter of a century. I once wrote a gratitude letter to one of my participants who was facing death. He was feeling like his life hadn’t mattered, and I wanted to make sure he understood just how valuable he had been to our CHAMPS men’s cancer support group. I had the privilege of reading my letter to him and his wife in their home. The next day, his wife told me he went to sleep with the letter.

What is your gratitude story, or can you share a moment when it clicked for you?
When I finally hit bottom with drugs and alcohol 34 years ago, it was my sister and her husband who offered a helping hand and a place to live while I began the slow process of reassembling the broken fragments of my life. I am and will always be grateful for their kindness and generosity.

What do you think are some of the roadblocks that stop people from being grateful?
As human beings, we have a tendency to complicate things. We forget that the best way is usually the simplest and most direct. We forget that right now is a gift and that the only appropriate response is gratefulness.

How would you advise someone struggling to find things to be grateful for?
I would simply suggest “KISMIF.” Keep It Simple, Make It Fun! There are people in the world who will never experience clean drinking water. If you live in a first-world country, you have more to be grateful for than some will EVER experience in their entire lifetime. Here is the Gratitude Rx: Take a dose every morning. Here are the side effects: May cause shifts in Perspective… May cause feelings of Abundance… Decreased feelings of Fear and Anxiety.

What is one lesson you could share to provide hope for people in this time of crisis, and how could they use gratitude to bring that into focus?
If you simply woke up this morning, you experienced the gift of life itself. Many people went to bed last night believing they would rise to see another day… The world’s obituaries are full of stories about people who never believed or realized just how precious the gift of life and health are. It has been expressed that if you have your health, you have everything! As you arise each day, say thank you at least once. Then, if you have your health, take it one step further and say thank you again. And if you really want to get wild and crazy, express gratitude in advance for every blessing you will receive throughout the day with every breath you take.

These insights reveal the transformative power of gratitude:

• Shift in Perspective: Gratitude can transform our outlook from seeing life as transactional to recognizing the deep, abiding magnificence in everyday experiences. This shift allows us to appreciate life’s simple pleasures and joys more profoundly.
• Enhancement of Relationships: Expressing gratitude regularly can strengthen personal and professional relationships by fostering deeper connections and understanding. It encourages us to acknowledge and appreciate the optimistic impact others have on our lives.
• Cultivation of Inner Peace: By incorporating gratitude into daily routines, such as starting and ending each day with intentional “thank-yous,” we can create a sense of inner peace and abundance. This practice helps us remain present and appreciative, reducing fear and anxiety.

Connect with Bobby Kountz ~TheEarthHeARTist at theearthheartist.com