Life throws a lot at you. In just the past two weeks, I had kidney stones, the husband of a woman I work with had a horrific car accident, and one of our dearest friends passed away.

Add in the extra darkness of this time of year and all the other chaos that's raging inside my brain, and you have a recipe for an epic disaster. It's hard to stay on the light side when all the bad hits you bang! Bang! BANG!!!

With everything that’s happened, I’ve been thinking about gratitude. Because even on my worst days, I still have a lot to be grateful for, and those flickers of light are helping me through every rough patch.

I also revisited gratitude as I updated the Year End Review course. Some of you will remember the videos from last year. Looking for the gifts in your life is the focus of the second week of the 5-week course.

Side Note: I created five new PDF workbooks to go along with the videos. (I wanted to update the videos as well but ran out of time.) You can get free access to the course until December 31st, 2025, by using the code DEC2025. Click the button below.

Focusing on the good things in your life can help you make it through the toughest times. Gratitude won't ever cure what's wrong with you, but it does help you shift your mindset, and that can lead to a better everyday life. Before we jump in, let’s talk about why an attitude of gratitude is worth pursuing.

Why Be Grateful?

Pursuing an attitude of gratitude is more than just saying "thank you" when someone holds the door. It’s a powerful mindset shift that can have a huge impact on how you experience the world. When we intentionally look for the good in our daily lives (even on the tough days) we aren't ignoring our challenges, but rather choosing to spotlight the positive moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

This shift is more than just a “feel better in the moment” task. Rather, it builds a reservoir of resilience that helps us bounce back faster from stress and adversity.

The science backing this up is so interesting. One of the most famous studies on gratitude, conducted by Dr. Robert Emmons, found that people who kept a weekly gratitude journal exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, and felt better about their lives as a whole compared to those who recorded only their trials or neutral events.

It turns out that simply writing down a few things you are grateful for can actually rewire your brain to scan the world for positivity, leading to better sleep, lower blood pressure, less anxiety, and a stronger immune system. (Source: Greater Good Science Center)

So for this week, we're going to focus on gratitude, but we're going to do it a little differently than before. Instead of gratitude journals or jars, we’ll focus on 14 unique ways to add more gratitude into your life. Today, we'll cover the first two suggestions. The remaining 12 tips will be covered this week in the Positivity Club. TK

Here we go!

Art Break

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1. The Reverse Bucket List

Everyone has a bucket list, even those who say they don't. Somewhere in the back of your head, you have a list of things you hope to accomplish before you die. While it's great to have goals for the future, it's also important to remember the things you've already done.

A Reverse Bucket List means making a list of the cool things you have already done or experienced. As you think about each one, think about how the experience made you feel and why you're grateful that it is part of your history. This is also a great way to boost your confidence.

2. Photo Scavenger Hunt

I love this idea. A Photo Scavenger Hunt is simply the act of going for a walk with the intention of taking five photos of things that make you either feel happy or peaceful. You can also do this in your house by looking for five things that you are grateful to have, but I really recommend doing it outside. There's something special about being in nature that gives you more peace. Then, going forward, every time you see one of these sparks of light, take a picture. Before long, you’ll have an album full of wonderful messages.

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I know some of you groaned when you read that this week is all about gratitude, and I get it. There are weeks that I'm not thankful for anything. No matter how hard I try, I either don't feel anything or I'm so frustrated with life that it's hard to see the good things. If that's where you are this week, then save these seven newsletters so you can do these exercises when you feel better.

But for the rest of you, I hope you'll take the time to try at least a few of the suggestions. You'll have 14 to choose from, so there's bound to be one that inspires you.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at two more ideas. See you then!

Until next time, keep fighting.

Scott Ninneman

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Additional Reading:

• ​The Days it’s a Fight to Stay Alive​
• ​The Dream That Stuck With Me​
• ​The Power of Asking Why: How It Can Transform Your Mental Health​
• ​Archive Newsletters​