This February: One Habit to Lift Your Heart – If I were to fill a box of nuts and chew chocolates and name each kind, there would be a “thank chew,” a “nutty for all you do,” an “appre-chew-ation chew,” a “wal-nut forget your kindness,” a “coconut count my blessings,” and a “peanut better together.” Each piece would be a reminder that gratitude sweetens everything it touches, turning ordinary moments into small, joyful celebrations of love and life.
February invites you to see life through an appreciation lens. Though the month often speaks the language of love, one of love’s deepest expressions is gratitude—for the people, experiences, and challenges that shape who you become.
Thankfulness reaches beyond just one season. It is a perspective that changes how you move through uncertainty and helps you to see the richness already present in your life.
Seeing Through the Lens of Gratitude
During the pandemic, my work as a television producer came to a standstill. The world paused, along with the industry that had taken me across all seven continents. I could have focused on what was lost—halted productions, a shrinking bank account, the stillness that replaced movement. Instead, I chose a different lens.
Gratitude became my guide. It reminded me of what remained rather than what had disappeared. It helped me notice the value in small steps forward—consulting projects, online meditation classes, and the first travel inquiries that appeared as the world slowly reopened. Each moment, however modest, carried hope. I counted them all as blessings.
During those months, I began laying the foundation for my wellbeing travel company, Sojourn Explorers. I believed that travel would return with greater intention and depth. That belief kept me focused. Gratitude gave meaning to the waiting and revealed that life continues to move, even when progress seems slow.
Remembering What Sustains You
In difficult seasons, it helps to look back on what once inspired you. For me, that meant recalling the moments that defined purpose—producing a show that began in Zanzibar and crossed Tanzania’s wild expanse, flying to the remote reaches of Alaska along the Bering Sea, and running marathons on every continent to raise funds for cancer research.
Each memory carried its own light of joy and fulfillment. Counting those blessings was like lighting candles in the dark—reminders that life holds both challenge and grace. Thankfulness does not remove difficulty; it restores perspective.
The Science and Spirit of Thankfulness
Gratitude is not just something you feel; it changes how you live. Even science continues to catch up to what we already know in our hearts. A 1998 Gallup survey found that ninety percent of respondents felt happier when expressing gratitude. Modern research continues to confirm what the heart already knows: gratitude reshapes our emotional landscape. It reduces anxiety, boosts optimism, and strengthens connections.
Gratitude renews faith. It reminds you that even in uncertain times, there are still reasons to be thankful—the people who support you, the lessons that teach you, and the strength that develops through endurance.
Bringing Gratitude into Each Day
Gratitude grows through awareness. It does not depend on perfect circumstances—only the willingness to notice what is already present. When you take time to acknowledge blessings, big or small, your perspective on life shifts. Gratitude eases judgment, relaxes the heart, and broadens perspective.
Start the Morning with Appreciation
Before the day begins, name three things that bring comfort or joy—health, shelter, a loved one, or the promise of new opportunities. Writing them down sets an intentional tone for the hours ahead.
Give Thanks to Your Helpers
No one walks alone. Each day offers a chance to thank those who support, guide, or simply listen. A note, a message, or a “thank you” can carry more meaning than you realize.
Gratitude Expressed is Gratitude Multiplied
Gratitude grows when we appreciate acts of kindness—the stranger holding a door, the colleague offering help, the family member preparing a meal. See these moments as gifts rather than routine.
Find Gratitude in the Lessons
Even difficult days hold value—patience learned, resilience strengthened, compassion awakened. Gratitude turns adversity into understanding.
Close the Evening in Reflection
Before sleeping, review the day and ask, “What went right?” Writing a single sentence of gratitude can ease the mind and prepare the heart for rest.
A Practice That Leads You Home
Gratitude is a way of being. It calms the heart through uncertainty and deepens joy when things are good.
As this month unfolds, stop to remember that even in seasons of change, there is always something to count as grace. Someone supported you. See what has endured. Acknowledge how far you have come. Let these moments lead you home to yourself and others in the best way.
Happy Grateful Valentine’s Day.
This article includes an excerpt from my debut book, “Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want,” which reached Amazon’s #1 Bestseller list in the Creativity Self-Help category and was an Eric Hoffer Literary Award Finalist. It was voted “Best Personal Development Book of the Year 2024” and received the “2025 Leader of the Year” award from this magazine. The book has won thirteen prestigious awards, including the Silver Nautilus Book Award and multiple category honors from the NYC Big Book Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards, Best Book Award, and the Independent Press Award. It was also featured in Times Square, New York.
“Gratitude sweetens everything it touches, turning ordinary moments into small, joyful celebrations of love and life.”
— Maria Baltazzi
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