As I was walking to my office the other day, I passed a car where a healthcare aid was helping an older woman out of the car. The aid was getting her steady on a walker that she had next to her.
As I watched the determination of this older woman to take hold of that walker and to walk, I wondered: Am I taking my own ability to walk for granted?
I was reminded in that moment of the wonderful book Peace Is Every Step by the brilliant Vietnamese Monk Thich Hanh. He writes about meditating while walking. And he talks about being aware and conscious of each step, providing various methods for being more mindful while walking.
It made me realize two important things. One is to be ever mindful of that ability that I have to walk wherever I want, but also to be grateful for every step.
Three Gratitude Practices for Leaders
If you’re in a leadership role, cultivating gratitude can impact how you show up for your team and for yourself. Here are three short practices you can do in just a few minutes each day:
- Gratitude Pause Before Meetings: Before your next meeting, think of one thing you’re grateful for. It could be about the team, the work, or the opportunity to lead. That shift in mindset can help you enter the room more grounded and positive.
- Morning Thanks with Movement: As you walk into work or move between meetings, mentally note one thing you’re physically able to do—like walk, type, or speak. Take a moment to appreciate it. This simple reflection pairs presence with gratitude and reinforces both.
- End-of-Day Reflection: At the close of your workday, jot down just one thing that went well, or one person who made your day easier. A single sentence can be enough to shift your focus from what’s unfinished to what’s meaningful.
Gratitude doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as quiet and powerful as noticing each step—and being thankful you’re able to take it.