Real gratitude isn’t what you feel when you’re writing an obligatory thank-you note like your grandmother taught you.
True gratitude and thankfulness is a mindset that comes from being aware of the world and your place in it, and realizing how amazing it is to be alive.
No matter how tough things seem, there’s always something to be thankful for—even if that’s just breathing.
Science has shown that gratitude can improve our lives in all kinds of ways. But if you still need a little nudge to start making gratitude a part of your mindfulness practice and, heck, just a thing you do in the course of your day, read on for some inspiring quotes about being thankful.
When I started counting my blessings, that’s when my whole life turned around.
—Willie Nelson
None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.
—Fred De Witt Van Amburgh
Appreciation can change a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.
—Margaret Cousins
Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.
—Zig Ziglar
We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.
—John F. Kennedy
Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first or the last time, then your time on earth will be filled with glory.
—Betty Smith
The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.
—William James
Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.
—Alphonse Karr
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
—Cicero
The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and thanks.
—Charles Schwab
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.
—Oprah Winfrey
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
—Epictetus
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
—Marcel Proust
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
—Albert Einstein
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.
—John F. Kennedy
Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.
—Robert Braathe
Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
In life, one has a choice to take one of two paths: to wait for some special day–or to celebrate each special day.
—Rasheed Ogunlaru
We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.
—Neal A. Maxwell
But listen to me. For one moment quit being sad. Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you.
—Rumi
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
—William Arthur Ward
Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.
—Jim Rohn
Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.
—Henri Frederic Amiel
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
—Albert Schweitzer
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
—Robert Brault
Forget yesterday–it has already forgotten you. Don’t sweat tomorrow–you haven’t even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift–today.
—Steve Maraboli
Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.
—Alice Walker
The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.
—the Dalai Lama
Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
—Charles Dickens
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
—Thornton Wilder
If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.
—Frank A. Clark
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
—GK Chesterton
Read on for more inspiration:
- 17 Spring Quotes to Inspire You
- 31 Leadership Quotes to Move Your Career Forward
- 21 Quotes to Celebrate Mom
Kate Sullivan is an editor with experience in every aspect of the publishing industry, from editorial to marketing to cover and interior design.
In her career, Kate has edited millions of words and helped dozens of bestselling, award-winning authors grow their careers and do what they love!
