As we head into Thanksgiving, our thoughts naturally turn to gratitude. It’s a season where we reflect on the blessings in our lives, and I want to share some thoughts on why gratitude is not just a holiday sentiment but a powerful force for growth, happiness, and resilience.

Gratitude and Happiness

Gratitude is intrinsically tied to happiness. When we focus on what we’re thankful for, our perspective shifts. Recently, I read a quote from Jon Gordon, "When you start your day with gratitude you create a fertile mind and heart that is ready for great things to happen. When you feel blessed, you can't be stressed. Don't worry about the day.  Take it on with power and positivity."  It's empowering to realize that we have the ability to shape our own experiences and outlook by starting each day with a mindset of gratitude. Jon Gordon's insights serve as a reminder that we hold the power to approach each day with positivity and strength. So, let's embrace the opportunity to cultivate gratitude and set the stage for great things to unfold.

This mindset shift is transformative. When we practice gratitude regularly, we cultivate a mindset ready to embrace opportunities and face challenges with optimism.

Recently, one of our grandkids was playing in a baseball game with a team he’s been part of for quite a while. This group of kids knows each other well, have become great friends, and rarely lose games. But this time, they did. After the game, his response to the loss caught my attention. He said, “At least I got to experience it with my friends.”

Two distinct thoughts came to mind when I heard that:

First, I couldn’t have been prouder. Hearing a child react with such a thankful and positive mindset to a disappointing outcome is remarkable. It’s a testament to the example being set at home. Great job, parents, for modeling gratitude and positivity!

Second, it reminded me that gratitude is a habit—and not always an easy one. It’s much easier to fall into the habit of reacting negatively to outcomes we don’t desire. Most of us are conditioned to dwell on what went wrong, to feel frustrated or upset. Cultivating a mindset that responds with gratitude, even in the face of challenges, takes intentional effort. But it’s worth it. The rewards of seeing the good, even in tough situations, are far-reaching—not just for ourselves but for everyone around us.

This simple yet profound lesson from a child reminded me that gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s a skill we can develop with practice. It’s about choosing to focus on the silver linings, even when the clouds seem heavy.

Gratitude as a Humbling Force

Gratitude humbles us. It erodes pride and entitlement, replacing them with a deep appreciation for what we have. When we give God credit or recognize the contributions of others, it becomes less about us and more about the blessings and support around us.

This humility reminds us that life is not just about our efforts but also about grace, timing, and the people who’ve lifted us along the way.

Thirty years ago, my wife and I, along with our two young daughters and a 7-pound dog, packed all of our belongings into a U-Haul truck and a minivan. With hope in our hearts, we drove 500 miles south, chasing what seemed like a promising business opportunity.

The move itself went smoothly, but shortly after we arrived, the opportunity we had uprooted our lives for vanished. Just like that, the reason for our move was gone, leaving me unsure of what to do next. Fear, doubt, and anger could have easily taken over, and left to my own thoughts, they likely would have. But instead, I turned to prayer and leaned on a relative with an unshakable faith.

He reminded me of something I was overlooking: while the business opportunity had disappeared, everything else about the move had been a blessing. We had arrived safely, the girls were thriving in their new school and already making friends, Becky was settling in beautifully, and we had found a church we loved. The only missing piece was finding a job—and focusing on what we did have shifted my mindset completely.

That gratitude created a fertile mind that allowed me to see opportunities I might have otherwise missed. Through church, I met someone who introduced me to the owner of an auto dealership group. What started as a simple introduction turned into a career that spanned 12 years, during which I rose to the top levels of leadership.

Looking back, I realize that gratitude humbled me and freed me from the anger and self-pity I could have carried. Instead of focusing on what I had lost, I became deeply appreciative of the blessings all around me—my family, our safety, and our new community. Gratitude shifted my focus outward, from myself to those around me, and it opened the door to opportunities I could never have anticipated.

Gratitude Versus Negativity

"A heart full of gratitude is incapable of holding negative thoughts." This simple truth makes gratitude a powerful antidote to discouragement and depression. Research shows that intentionally cultivating gratitude can improve mental health, and the best part is—it’s something we can all do.

This article from UCLA Health says that

“Research shows that practicing gratitude — 15 minutes a day, five days a week — for at least six weeks can enhance mental wellness and possibly promote a lasting change in perspective. Gratitude and its mental health benefits can also positively affect your physical health.”

How to Practice Gratitude

If you know that gratitude has that effect, then what can you do to habitually acquire gratitude?

3 ways that you can easily incorporate the habit into your daily life:

1. Morning Journaling: Start the day with a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re thankful for each morning, no matter how small.

2. Evening Reflection: End your day with a review of what went well and the blessings you experienced.

3. Daily Rituals: Build gratitude into your routines—during meals, walks, or quiet moments.

For me, practicing gratitude daily has been transformative. I’ve shared my personal method in a video on my website, JimWebbOnline.com.

Overcoming Perfectionism

I’ll admit—gratitude hasn’t always come naturally to me. As a perfectionist, I often focused on finding faults or errors, striving for an ideal that sometimes blinded me to the good around me. Some great thoughts on perfectionism come from an article on Wondermind.com :

Listen, perfectionism can  help you achieve stuff, according to psychotherapist Sara Walls, LCSW, who works with a lot of high-achievers, perfectionists, and people pleasers. It becomes a problem, though, when you crank up harsh self-talk, judge your friends or roommate for not meeting your expectations, or avoid a project because you’re scared to eff up, she says. All of that can hurt your relationship with yourself and others and even keep you from getting shit done (every perfectionist’s nightmare).

Living in this state all of my life, I realized this tendency made me less optimistic and more critical, so I had to intentionally work on gratitude. When you daily are focusing on being perfect, which is not attainable, then you become conditioned to looking for what is wrong.  If you consistently are looking for the mistake, then you at the same time get conditioned to ignoring the blessings.  That leads to the opposite of peace and joy. This consistent practice of focusing on what I have instead of what’s missing, has shifted my outlook. I’ve cultivated a greater sense of peace and joy.

The Comfort of Gratitude

Gratitude doesn’t just inspire growth and happiness; it also provides comfort. When we focus on what we have to be thankful for, we develop resilience and hope for the future. It’s a reminder of the abundance already present in our lives, helping us face difficulties with strength and optimism.

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I encourage you to reflect on the power of gratitude. Take time each day to remind yourself of what you’re thankful for. It’s a habit that can transform not just your mood, but your life.

Let’s embrace gratitude, not just during this season but all year long. You’ve got so much to be thankful for—and so much to look forward to.

Expect to win,

Jim