Gratitude: More Than a Thought or an Attitude, It’s a Lifestyle (and Yes, I’m Adding My Two Cents)

I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude these last few weeks.

I know, gratitude nowadays is one of those "been there, done that, got the T-shirt" concepts.

And yet I still want to write about that today.

Maybe because it’s Thanksgiving (which, to me, is all about gratitude and not so much about stuffing yourself blind with food or maxing your credit cards on Black Friday).

Maybe because I’m not able to say that I am cancer free and get to live another day (well another 30 years if you ask me!)… and oh so grateful for it.

Maybe it’s the New Moon this weekend, time for me to remember and reflect, and time to feel gratitude even more.

Maybe it's the winter season settling in and the demands of looking inwards.

Maybe it's Mercury Retrograde.

Anyway.

Lately, life has been about illness, doctors, healing and keeping anxiety at bay. And fatigue. So much fatigue.

When I am in that state, so many things slip by unnoticed—the ever-changing colors of the sky, the abundance of sunshine, the money flowing in no matter what, the beauty of the golden leaves dancing in the wind, the joy of singing, both alone and with others, the hours spent with friends, playing board games or chatting, the warm mug in my hand, and so many more beautiful huge and tiny things, people, feelings, experiences…

But tonight, I pause.

Today, I breathe deeply. Tonight, I celebrate myself for the good work done, the play well played and the everyday miracles that happened. Tonight, I soak in the joy of all that already is while dreaming up the wonders yet to come. Tonight, I join forces with the Universe itself!

I know, I know. Everyone and their sister has already told you to feel the gratitude. It's practically a pop-up ad for your soul these days. But here I am, shamelessly tossing my two cents into the Gratitude Jar. Why? Because I want to flip the script a bit.

Gratitude, for me, isn’t just about listing things you’re thankful for while sipping your morning coffee. It’s a series of actions—active, tangible things that say, “Hey, Universe, I see you, and I’m here for it.” And more importantly, it’s not just reserved for the good days when life hands you a bouquet of metaphorical roses. Nope. Gratitude shines brightest on the thorny, messy days when all you want to do is throw that bouquet in the trash.

Let’s start with a definition because, you know, context is everything. According to Merriam-Webster, gratitude is “the state of being grateful: thankfulness.” Short, sweet, and a little vague, no? While this definition is fine for a dictionary, let’s dig deeper. Gratitude is more than just a state; it’s a mindset and a practice. It’s a way of engaging with the world—one that doesn’t hit pause when things aren’t perfect.

Gratitude in Action

Now, let’s make this practical. What does “gratitude as action” look like? Here are a few examples:

• 1. Writing a Thank-You Note

Yes, like with actual pen and paper. It’s old-school, but it’s impactful. Write one to someone who made your day a little brighter—even if it was five years ago. You can send it… or not! Or write one the Universe itself for all the gifts. And read it out loud standing outside in a local park or a town square!

• 2. Giving (and I Don’t Just Mean Stuff)

Share your time, attention, or a listening ear. Gratitude shows up when you help a friend move or hold the door open for someone.

• 3. Daily Check-Ins

Before bed, jot down a couple of things that made you smile. And get feeling the joy and gratitude. But don’t just stop there—ask yourself how you contributed to those moments.

• 4. Forgiving (Yourself and Others)

Here’s a spicy one: let go of grudges. Gratitude thrives in a space free of resentment.

• 5. Appreciating the Mundane

Heard the kettle whistle? Congrats, you have hot water. Is the sun out? Cool, enjoy it. Celebrating tiny, overlooked moments adds up.

Why Gratitude Isn’t Just About the “Good Stuff” 

The real magic of gratitude happens when you embrace it on your worst days. Why? Because those are the moments that truly shape us. When things fall apart, we’re forced to rebuild, rethink, and—if we’re really brave—reinvent.

Here’s the thing: everything happens for you, not to you. Stay with me here. I’m not saying bad stuff is fun (spoiler: it’s not). But as the creatrix of your Universe, you have the power to spin any situation into something meaningful. That flat tire? Maybe it slowed you down enough to avoid something worse up ahead. That cringy mistake at work? A humbling reminder to double-check next time. My cancer? An opportunity to pause and reassess my priorities and my desires for the next stage of my life (and business! More about that soon)

When you approach life this way, gratitude becomes less about what you’re grateful FOR and more about the way you show up in every moment. It’s an attitude, a lens, a decision to say, “This might not be what I wanted, but I’ll make it work because I know that there is something here for me that is amazing!”

Gratitude with a Side of Realness

Now, I know this might sound lofty. “Be grateful for the bad stuff? Seriously?” But think of it this way: you’re already dealing with it, so why not make it worth something? It’s like turning lemons into lemonade, but with fewer Pinterest boards and more real-world grit.

Also, let’s not forget: gratitude isn’t about perfection. You don’t have to radiate positive vibes 24/7. Some days, gratitude looks like flopping onto your couch and saying, “Well, at least I survived today.” That counts.

Your Gratitude, Your Universe

Ultimately, gratitude is personal. It’s a practice you tailor to your life and circumstances. Maybe it’s a morning ritual or a quick mental note before bed. Maybe it’s taking a moment to notice how the light hits your favorite book on the shelf. Whatever it looks like, gratitude is a choice—a powerful one.

So, the next time someone chirps, “Feel the gratitude!” try this: roll your eyes (if you must), then decide how you’ll turn their cliché into something real for you. And don’t forget—you’re the boss of your universe, the ultimate creatrix. Gratitude makes your job easy and more joyful!

In a nutshell, gratitude works, and I’m sticking with it—day in, day out—for one very simple but powerful reason: when I choose gratitude, happiness isn’t far behind, brightening my world from the inside out.

Care to give it another go yourself?

I believe that is all for today.

I would be so happy to hear from you.

Thank you in advance for your comment.

See you soon, for my next online adventures!

Until then I send you love, light and gratitude.

Isaya

PS: On a very practical way, I am focusing on my healing, so there is not much happening in my business world… I’ll be writing as usual, of course, and maybe creating some podcast episodes… but on the whole, I might be AFK (away from keyboard) for some time… I’ll keep you posted when something new happens! New projects are starting to brew!

I also do have less money coming in. One way to help and support me is to actually buy something from me!

You can find some of my Goddess Connected programs here:

https://isayabelle.com/the-magic-goddess-online-programs

or here: https://isayabelle.com/tech-goddess-academy-2

PPS: Please bear in mind that I am reclaiming my journey and that my solutions and my path are mine and mine only. They are not intended to be a guide or a list of advice, a handbook or manual or any kind, least of all medical. This is just me sharing my journey.