Be Grateful for Everything—Even the Tough Stuff

“It is easy to praise providence for anything that may happen if you have two qualities: a complete view of what has actually happened in each instance and a sense of gratitude. Without gratitude what is the point of seeing, and without seeing what is the object of gratitude?” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

the proximity of death, rather than depressing us, can be turned to our advantage. In our youth, because we assumed that we would live forever, we took our days for granted and as a result wasted many of them. In our old age, however, waking up each morning can be a cause for celebration. As Seneca notes, “If God is pleased to add another day, we s

be thankful now, secure and stable in the knowledge, even the assumption, that the future turns out in the best possible way for you.

see yourself as fortunate to receive and respond to the will in the world.