When we attune to life’s gifts and pause to appreciate them, we can open ourselves to the joy that is available to us. Grateful Living nourishes our capacity to hold, simultaneously, life’s sorrows and its gifts. In welcoming the great fullness of life with great fullness of heart, we leave the door open for joy’s emergence. The invitation — the possibility — lies in developing a practice to which we can return as a touchstone for gratitude, even in the most challenging times.

May this curated collection of poetry, stories, essays, audio and more open the doorway to joy, even in difficult times.

Videos

The Beauty of Living

by Reflections of Life
In this short film, Annie Norgarb exemplifies waking up grateful through her reverence for ordinary…
shadow of window and blinds on a dark wall with a silhouetted house plant
Articles

Grown

by Ross Gay
A powerful essayette from Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights.
Woman walking through a field trailing her hand in the grass.
Articles

When Savoring a Pleasant Moment Is a Radical Act

by Ari Honarvar
In this beautiful essay, Ari Honarvar suggests, “Perhaps the most radical act of resistance in…
Grateful Changemakers

Grateful Changemakers: Radical Joy for Hard Times

by The Grateful Living Team
When I receive a gift, I am conscious of both the gift and the giver.…
Meditations

Meditation on Gratitude and Joy

by Jack Kornfield
Let yourself sit quietly and at ease. Allow your body to be relaxed and open,…
Articles

Spirit Bathing for the Worried and Beleaguered

by Patricia Adams Farmer
Spirit Bathing invites the worried and beleaguered into the flowing waters of grace and reassurance.…
Stories of Grateful Living

Gratefully Regaining Resilience

by Margaret Wakeley
I have always been a resilient person. I’ve had my fair share of tragedies and…
Poetry

Lilly

by Francine Marie Tolf
At fifty-three, I sometimes feel a subtle but irreversible sadness seeping into my blood. I…
Brene Brown and Oprah Winfrey
Interviews

Brené Brown and Oprah on Joy and Gratitude

by OWN
Joy is an emotion we all seek, but, Dr. Brené Brown and Oprah Winfrey agree…
forest mist
Q&A

Joyful Suffering

by Br. David Steindl-Rast, OSB
Q: How can I find joy in the world, when what I see in much…

Feature photo by Austin Schmid/Unsplash


Say Yes to Joy

How might your daily life change if you could experience more joy, even alongside sorrow? In this self-guided series, discover tangible grateful living practices to welcome more joy into your life.

Learn More
Joy
Collections