If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. – Meister Eckhart (1260–1328)

It is comparatively easy to be grateful when things are going well, but the real power – yes, power – of an ‘attitude of gratitude’ comes when we are able to stay grateful even when outer circumstances are very challenging.

Among the many messages I have read for Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. are a number where the author is able to express genuine gratitude in the face of difficult, even traumatic, personal circumstances.

Truly the universe is on our side, God is Love.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God – Romans 8:28

When facing difficult circumstances we can be looking for the ‘good’, the ‘Gift’, hiding in them.

Sasha Xarrian writes movingly about how learning to look for the GIFT in everything that seems unfavorable was the major turning point in her life, as she left loss and trauma behind and moved on to a life of fulfillment and prosperity.