In this enlightening conversation, we delve into the profound practice of gratitude, exploring its significance in our lives and its connection to our well-being. They discuss how gratitude can be cultivated through daily habits, the importance of being present, and how our senses can enhance our appreciation for life. The conversation emphasizes the role of gratitude in parenting and personal growth, encouraging listeners to embrace gratitude as a vital part of their daily routines.
In this week’s episode of Illuminating Being, we explored a word often tossed around casually—but profoundly transformative when embraced as a daily rhythm: gratitude.
Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s not a task to check off or a formality after receiving a gift. It’s a state of being. A choice. A way of seeing.
And in a world increasingly cluttered with noise, distraction, and disconnection, this practice might be more essential than ever.
Gratitude as a Grounding Practice
Dr. Keith Somers shared how gratitude surfaced for him this week—not as a philosophical concept, but as a lived feeling. It’s not something we will into being. Like strengthening a muscle, gratitude requires practice. It requires a slowing down.
We likened it to “mental exercise” or the daily reps that shape who we are. Whether it’s writing a journal entry, naming five things you’re grateful for, or simply pausing to notice the sound of birdsong, gratitude connects us to the moment—and to ourselves.
The Science and Spirit Behind It
There’s science to support what we intuitively feel: gratitude rewires our brain. It fosters emotional regulation, improves sleep, and enhances physical health. But beyond that, it’s a tool for presence. And as Brene Brown says, it’s not just about joy—it’s the foundation that allows us to feel joy in the first place.
Gratitude can begin with the senses:
The smell of summer rain
The sound of laughter at your table
The warmth of a meal made with love
The sight of the sunrise
The grounding power of breath
These small sensory moments become anchors—quiet reminders that we’re alive, connected, and whole.
What Are You Practicing?
Whether you're a parent, a physician, an engineer, or a teenager, we’re all practicing something every day. The question is: are you practicing reactivity, rushing, and depletion? Or presence, curiosity, and gratitude?
We shared simple tools that work:
Start your day with a hand over your heart and a breath of thanks
Encourage your children to name one thing they’re grateful for at meals or bedtime
Use a “gratitude jar” to drop in daily appreciations
Create space to feel—not just label—emotions like awe, joy, sorrow, and surprise
As Dr. Somers said, “Gratitude isn’t just one thing—it’s many things to each of us. But what it can do, when practiced, is powerful.”
Gratitude in the Hard Moments Too
One of the most touching parts of our conversation was this reminder: gratitude doesn’t only belong to joyful moments. In fact, some of the deepest gratitude can be born through challenge, loss, and discomfort. When we learn to name our feelings (a concept beautifully explored in Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown), we can begin to be grateful even for the experience itself, not just the outcome.
Gratitude transforms suffering into wisdom. It gives context to pain and clarity to chaos.
Final Thoughts
We ended the episode reflecting on the saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” For Dr. Cook, it wasn’t just a cliché—it was a memory from childhood, a lesson her father gently instilled during a homesick summer at camp. That message, to pause, notice, and be present, has shaped her life ever since.
That’s the invitation of this episode. To pause. To see. To feel. To name. To give thanks.
Try This Today:
Pause and name one thing you’re grateful for using each of your five senses.
Write it down. Speak it aloud. Share it with someone.
Ask your children what made them smile today—and tell them what made you smile, too.
Gratitude isn’t something you need to buy, earn, or hustle for. It’s already within you, waiting to be remembered.
Until next time, stay present, stay curious, and be grateful.
