Hello there,
How has your journey been with appreciating ordinary moments? I hope you’ve discovered some unexpected treasures hidden in the fabric of daily life, and I’m thinking of you as we move into exploring something tender and important.
If you’ve ever been told to “just be grateful” while navigating loss, illness, financial stress, or relationship breakdown, you know how hollow and invalidating this advice can feel. Today, I want to honour the reality that gratitude practice during difficult times requires a completely different approach than gratitude during ease.
The Tender Path of Crisis Gratitude
When life feels overwhelming, suggesting broad gratitude can seem insensitive or out of touch. Who wants to feel grateful when facing genuine hardship? Yet it’s precisely during these times that gentle, specific appreciation can provide anchor points of stability without minimizing your struggle.
I think of David, who was caring for his wife through dementia while managing his own health challenges. Traditional gratitude advice felt meaningless when he was exhausted, grieving, and scared. Instead, we explored what I call “tender gratitude” – finding small, authentic appreciations that honoured both his pain and his resilience.
David learned to appreciate the moments when his wife smiled at him with recognition, the neighbour who brought meals without being asked, his own courage in facing each difficult day, and the simple comfort of falling into bed each night knowing he’d given his best.
Gratitude in the Simplest Moments
During difficult times, extraordinary appreciation often lives in the most ordinary moments. The first sip of morning coffee that actually tastes good. The feeling of clean sheets against your skin. The sound of rain on windows when everything else feels chaotic. The brief moment when worry lifts and you remember you’re okay right now.
These moments don’t solve your problems, but they remind you that even within limitation and challenge, some comfort and beauty remain accessible.
Building Community Support During Difficulty
One of the most healing forms of gratitude during hard times is appreciating the people who show up for you. Not just those who try to fix or advise, but those who simply witness your struggle with compassion.
Sometimes community gratitude looks like appreciating the friend who brings groceries without being asked, the colleague who covers extra work, the family member who listens without judgment, or even the stranger who offers a genuine smile during a difficult day.
Creating Your Personal Abundance Flow
Even during challenges, you can practice what I call “abundance flow” – small ways of giving and receiving that remind you of your connection to life’s generosity. This might be as simple as sharing encouragement with someone else going through difficulty, offering a listening ear to a friend, or expressing appreciation to service workers who make your day easier.
Abundance flow during hard times isn’t about giving what you don’t have – it’s about recognizing that even in difficulty, you still have something to offer and something to receive.
Crisis Gratitude Principles
During challenging times, gratitude practice becomes tender and specific rather than broad and general. Instead of “I’m grateful for everything in my life,” you might appreciate “I’m grateful for this warm bed,” “I’m grateful my friend listened without trying to fix me,” or “I’m grateful for my strength in getting through today.
This approach honours both your struggles and your resilience, acknowledging that even in difficulty, some support remains available.
Your Week 3 Challenge
This week, I invite you to explore tender gratitude with gentle compassion:
1. Crisis Gratitude Toolkit Creation: Develop specific appreciation practices for challenging times (different from your ease-time practices)
2. Ordinary Moment Light-Finding: Daily, identify one small comfort or beauty that remains accessible even during difficulty
3. Community Appreciation: Notice and express gratitude for anyone who offers support, however small
4. Abundance Flow Practice: Find one small way to give and one way to receive, even during challenging circumstances
5. Resilience Honouring: Appreciate your own courage and strength in facing difficulties, however imperfectly
Remember, you don’t have to feel grateful for your pain or challenges. Tender gratitude honours your struggle while recognizing the strength, support, and small lights that remain available even in darkness.
As you explore this week, notice with tremendous compassion:
• What forms of appreciation feel authentic during difficult times?
• How does tender gratitude differ from forced positivity?
• What small lights remain accessible even when life feels hard?
• How does appreciating community support affect your resilience?
Join the Journey
I’m loving walking this path with you! Throughout this week, I’ll be sharing gentle practices on social media to support your tender gratitude exploration. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn for regular inspiration and compassionate guidance.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with crisis gratitude. What small appreciations feel authentic during challenges? How has community support shown up in your life? What lights have you discovered in unexpected places? Comment on my posts or reach out directly to share your journey.
Remember, your capacity to find authentic appreciation even during difficulty is a profound gift – not only to yourself but to everyone navigating their own storms.
With warmth, deep respect, and unwavering belief in your resilient heart,
Gemma-Lee
About the Author:
Gemma-Lee Harvey is a Holistic Counsellor and Lifestyle Coach based on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. With a diverse background spanning psychology, business, counselling, and coaching, she creates a nurturing space for exploring one’s full potential. Her gentle yet practical approach kindles the transformative spirit within, guiding individuals through life’s challenges as they rise through empowerment.
Contact:
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