“Joy is the
simplest form
of gratitude.” 
~ Karl Barth

Thanksgiving is over. There’s no more leftover turkey. Out-of-town visitors are on their way back home. Thanksgiving Day 2024 is now a part of history. Giving thanks, however, goes on.

Giving thanks is not a once-a-year activity. Gratitude is a mindset, one which enables us to see and experience life and those around us through the lens of gratitude each and every day. 

I’ve been thinking about, writing about, and focusing on gratitude for the past eighteen years. I am well aware of the benefits, both physical and emotional, of embracing a life of gratefulness and of regularly expressing my gratitude to those around me. It truly is transformative, yet doing so can also be extraordinarily challenging at times.

On most days, I wake up in the morning filled with gratitude, optimistic about the day to come, and highly motivated to make a positive difference in the lives of those I encounter throughout the day. Other days, however, can be very different. There are mornings when, regardless of the weather outside, I wake up to dark clouds and a sense of gloom. Some call it melancholy or a funk. Others might identify it as depression. Whatever name we choose to give it, I cannot help but feel dispirited by the negativity I sense on such mornings. 

I’ve found that there are a few things I can do to lift my spirits when I’m feeling down. Going for a walk is exceptionally beneficial. Moving my body, breathing the fresh air, noticing and appreciating the beauty of God’s creation around me, and graciously acknowledging the presence of those I encounter along the way all contribute to increased feelings of peace and joy. 

Doing something positive for someone else also immediately increases my level of joy and contentment. When I’m driving, something as simple as slowing down a bit to allow another driver to merge safely into my lane can be helpful. Holding the door open for someone entering or exiting a building can have a similar result. Smiling at a stranger I encounter and greeting them with a simple “Good morning” or nod of the head can bring a sense of peace to my life — and, hopefully, to theirs.

Each day, if we make a concerted effort to be aware of the possibilities around us, we have countless opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Doing so allows us to experience greater joy in our day. Swiss theologian Karl Barth was right. Joy really is the simplest form of gratitude. Living with a genuine sense of joy is beneficial not only to those with whom we come in contact, but to ourselves, as well.