Yesterday’s challenge was about cherished memories, and I left out part of mine. The memory was really the entire trip to Paris for my wife’s birthday, but the party was the most cherished part. It was not only our family but dear friends who joined us for the intimate dinner. That trip, and especially that evening, always makes me smile.
Today’s challenge is about the people in our lives. Being grateful is good for our emotional health, and the research backs it up. A 2025 review of 145 studies and nearly 25,000 people found that gratitude exercises improved well-being. The improvements weren’t dramatic, but they were consistent. The evidence for physical health is thinner, so I’ll stick with the emotional benefits. We also underestimate how much it means to someone when we tell them we appreciate them, and we overestimate how awkward it will be. So today, think about the people you are most grateful for. If they are still with us, tell them. A call, a text, or a note will do. Just tell them what they did and why it mattered.
Imagine if we all did this instead of complaining about the election.
Today, I am especially grateful for both of my parents. I didn’t thank them enough when they were alive. They were both gone before I fully appreciated everything they had done for me. The older I get, the more I understand the sacrifices they made, the lessons they taught me, and the example they set. I wish I could tell them that now. Since I can’t, I’ll say it here. Thank you, Mom and Dad.
Tonight, journal about who you are grateful for and why. If you reached out to someone today, write about how they responded and how it made you feel. And if someone you wish you could thank is no longer here, take a moment to remember them, too.
