Be grateful, no matter what happens in your day.  In times of trouble, be grateful.  At times of uncertainty, give thanks.  In times of sorrow, think of all the things that are still good in your life.  I am not in the least bit perfect in doing this myself, but it is something I strive to do.  And the reason I do this is because I have found, for myself, that there is grace to be found if I just look for it.

I remember reading a true story about a woman who was living in a concentration camp.  Her attitude and her capacity for love and gratitude kept her sane and she found joy in little things.  Everyday, she would save a scrap of her meager portion of food to give to a dog that waited for her at the fence surrounding the camp.  It gave her great joy to be able to give something to this starving animal.  And it made her grateful that she could do this small thing for a fellow creature.

Few people would be able to see things in this way, or even consider such a thing to be a source of joy, or a reason to be thankful.  But because of this way of thinking and feeling, she survived well.

When I have tried to do this, I have always found that gratitude works in this way.  It is a choice that benefits oneself as much as it does the recipient of one’s kindness.  Maybe it benefits the giver even more than the receiver.  I know that every time I think and do these small things for others, that joy and gratitude are the gifts I receive in return.

If one is grateful, it is impossible to be unhappy.  If one just thinks about the times this has been true for oneself, there is a memory that one can call to mind in situations where a person can be there for someone else.  It is up to each of us to find our own unique way in which to see the ways we can help others.  And when one does this, gratitude is just a byproduct of our behavior.  And joy comes along for the ride.