Start each day with
gratitude, practice
kindness and end it
with a peaceful heart
and watch your days
become a little bit sweeter
Start each day with gratitude, practice kindness, and end it with a peaceful heart—and watch your days become a little bit sweeter. These words have become more than just a motivational poster for me; they are a daily practice that has truly transformed my life.
I can attest to the power of gratitude. Over the past four years, I have made a conscious effort to live with a grateful heart, and I have seen my world shift in incredible ways. The more I focus on what I am thankful for, the more blessings seem to appear in my life. It’s as though gratitude acts like a magnet, drawing in moments of joy, connection, and contentment that I might have overlooked before.
Each morning, I carve out about fifteen minutes to sit quietly and reflect on the things I appreciate. Sometimes, it’s the big things—my health maintenance, my family, the roof over my head. Other days, it’s the little things: the warmth of my morning coffee, a kind word from a friend, or the gentle way the sunlight filters through my window. No matter what I focus on, this practice sets a gentle, positive tone for my day.
I notice that when I start with gratitude, it becomes easier to practice kindness throughout the day. I find myself more patient with others and more willing to offer a smile or a helping hand. Kindness, I’ve learned, doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes it’s as simple as listening without judgment or offering encouragement to someone who needs it. These small acts ripple outward, creating a sense of connection and warmth that comes back to me in unexpected ways.
These days, I voice my gratitude for the ending of smear campaigns online in personally titled domains created by toxic adults. Over the past year, I have watched each of the domains created by toxic people slowly disappear from the internet. The rest will be gone by the end of this month! Even the new smear campaigns against others they have created have since disappeared along with their personal ones.
I am grateful for the opportunities I get to travel this beautiful Country of Canada. As I mentioned in a previous post, I got to do a multi-city trip last September for a couple of weeks, and now I am preparing for another trip! It won’t be as long this time, but it will be an emotional one. I am looking forward to it! I won’t be travelling alone this time.
In the meantime, summer is coming. Plans have been made for next month’s vacation time, and some have been made for August. I will finally make it to the West Coast in August!
Living this way hasn’t made my life perfect, but it has made it sweeter. I feel calmer, more at peace, and more deeply connected to the people and moments that matter most. Gratitude, kindness, and peace have become my anchors, guiding me through life’s ups and downs with a softer, more open heart.