Gratitude doesn’t begin when life gets easier; it starts when we notice what’s good.
Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of speaking in Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston, Little Rock, Las Vegas, Orlando, Laguna, Kansas City, Raleigh, Des Moines, Denver and Nashville.
Whew! What a ride. (I am grateful for the work, but I’m also very grateful to be back at home today.)
In one of the speaking events, I asked the audience to turn to a neighbor and share what they were grateful for in the moment. Years of speaking have taught me that the most important work I do on stage is to use some of my time empowering the audience to use their voice.
On this morning, hundreds of new friends turned away from me and toward the person seated nearest them. Voices elevated, tears fell and smiles returned. It was awesome to observe this from stage.
But off to the side stood one woman. Alone.
I came down from the stage, walked over, knelt beside her, and said, “I love you…and there’s nothing you can do about it! Now, tell me, what are you grateful for?”
She looked back and said, “Nothing.”
I paused, thinking she was kidding at first. Asking again, “Anything at all?”
Again, she said, “Nothing.”
So I told her I’d go first and share a few on my list.
“The plane got me here safely. The venue is beautiful. I woke up today. My eyes, ears, mind and heart still work. I’m grateful for hot coffee. Cold beer. Friends that encourage. Faith that restores. Work that matters. And hope for tomorrow.”
After I finished, there was a moment of silence between us, and she whispered, “Well… I guess I am grateful for my daughter.”
And with that, the door cracked open.
This woman continued sharing about a daughter who had battled cancer. A daughter who survived.
A daughter now raising her own children, serving others, living a life of quiet courage. A daughter making her mom proud every day.
In the telling of what filled her heart, tears came, and with them, gratitude not just for her daughter, but for her life.
My friends, we are being catechized daily by a world telling us we are not enough or we need be more. We’re told life is unfair, everything is utterly broken and that the worst is still ahead.
But that is not the whole story.
Because in this moment, especially this moment, there is grace. There is goodness. There is something, and often someone, worth giving thanks for.
Kneeling beside a woman I’d never met before nor likely will see again, I was reminded: Hope is not found in the absence of hardship, but in the presence of gratitude.
So today, don’t wait for everything to be fixed before giving thanks.
Start with one thing. Name it. Give thanks for it. And discover that in recognizing some goodness around you in life, you’ll see even more for which to give thanks.
Today is your day. Live Inspired.
39 replies on “Start with One Thing”
LOVE this! Grateful each and everyday
That is such a great message. Often, people can quickly recall and complain about all the negative things in life. We all have heartaches and heartbreaks but thinking about the things that we are grateful for gives us a reason to keep moving forward and make a positive impact on others.
Thank you John! I am going to send this to a friend of mine who desperately needs to hear and think about your message. She has lost her faith in God and complains constantly.
Take good care John,
Sincerely, Sue Jaeger
I’m grateful for the wonderful book club that led me to your book and your story.
I absolutely love this and I need this reminder all the time. Thank you for sharing it.
I’m grateful, fill it in I’m grateful for it
What a wonderful reminder. Thanks for being a bold, caring human being, John!
I’m pretty thankful that I get to read you every morning. Lately I’ve been in the dumps, but this story reminded me there are plenty of things to be thankful for, and to quit feeling sorry for myself.
My life is good, but you reminded me today to not just know my life is good but to say what is good about it. Details are important.
I just finished watching your movie with my daughter at the infusion center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. (She gets monthly infusions for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). I was very excited to see it a one of our choices on their movie selections. I heard you speak at a nursing conference I went to in Dallas, Tx. In April of 2025. I also read your motivational emails, You were an inspiration to listen to and it was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for sharing your story!
Great story! Sometimes we do not appreciate the small things around us that we should be thankful for: the beautiful sun rise, the color of the flowers, the gentle breeze. I think we need to be more present to what is around us.
I love this sharing. I love your ministry. I appreciate we all are so blessed by your life and inspiration. Thank you John…and your wife Beth, your children and the entire OG O’Leary family for supporting your calling. 🙏👍💚🍀
Your words continue to inspire me everyday! Thank you for being you and for spreading your love and gratitude.
Thank you for this message. I think *I* do this, but it’s a good reminder to share with my family that we can begin with just one thing.
What a beautiful reminder! It makes a difference to focus on blessings in our lives!
Thank you. I’m grateful for your share!
John, thank you for sharing such great thoughts. I am struggling with my recovery from a stroke, and sometimes forget All my many Blessings that I have in my life. Your Podcast and stories inspire me. Keep up the great work. God Bless you John!!!
That made me think about women’s devotional I used a couple years ago. I need to redo that. It is titled, “Aging Gratefully.”
I look forward to getting these. I signed up in March while at CMCA.
I’m 78 years old and everyday when I can just get out of bed, I am so thankful to God! I asked him then what would you have me do today to serve you! I always focus on Him and not my circumstance!
You are amazing! Sometimes you just blow my mind with your insight. And most of the time when I read your blogs, it was exactly what I needed to hear. So, thank you, John.
Well said. I am thankful for so much. In this moment I am thankful for my friend David who worked for me for about 10 years and we still stay in touch with each other. Always encouraging, concerned and prayerful. He is also the one who sent me this link about a year ago so I could receive these Motivational messages. First an employee and that turned into a lifetime relationship. Blessed
There is always something to be grateful for. I’ve always found something to be grateful for in tragedy and experiences in life whatever it brings you. Faith helps in so many ways. The glass is always half full.
“Hope is not found in the absence of hardship, but in the presence of gratitude” is one of the most impactful messages I have heard in a long time.
Thank you John
Thank you for sharing this, John, and for all you do for everyone.
I’m grateful for my partner (reconnected at our 50th high school reunion 3 1/2 years ago) and over that time have built a loving relationship grounded in our faith. Both of us had long term marriages end when our spouses walked out.
Agree completely on the cold beer! You may never see her again and yet you made a difference in her day and her perspective. Bless you John!
Beautiful. Thanks. I’m grateful my son came home and cooked a. Mothers Day dinner fir me and my partner ( who I’m also grateful for).
Very true John! Great response to get her to open up and reach deep in her heart and mind to reflect on what’s important about life to her!
I needed to read this today.
What a beautiful reminder! You are right, there is always something to be grateful for and most of the time you don’t have to look very far.
There is a group called Mantra Gold and their song Gratitude is definitely worth a listen! They sing about all the little things that we often take for granted. Also a good way to start one’s day 😊☀️
Such a great story to start my day/week. God is good! Oh give thanks unto the Lotd for His mercy endures forever.
I wake up every morning grateful to be alive! I’ve learned no matter how my day is going there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for
Such a great message on a Monday morning!
Today I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to my Sponsor. I’ve been a member of Al-Anon for over 18 years and have had the same sponsor for that entire time. He is older now and facing the challenge of detention and lack of mobility. His wife (my wife’s AA sponsor) is severely diabetic and does not drive. I stop by their home 3 days a week to take her to do the shopping, mow their lawn and do chores they cannot. I spend time talking to them both. They both have been instrumental in being there for not only me but the entire AA and Al-Anon community over the years. It’s hard to see the decline in someone you love and respect. It’s harder still not to try to direct. I get to be there for them the way they have been there for all of us. I am grateful.
I see even your Monday Blog’s are also meant to make me feel like someone’s cutting onions. Great message today and every day. We live in the spirit that we bring with us each day, so start with gratitude for the little things and maybe, just maybe the world will begin to heal.
Grateful every day that I had Jim in my life and I have memories to get me thru the rest of my life.
Thank you for making my Monday better I am so thankful for you and your inspiration
Thank you for this. On a time where I have been hurt by someone and found it devastating I have so.much more to be grateful for.
People come and go from our lives. If they were meant to stay they would. It’s ok to let go.