The Gratitude Shift: Why Gratitude Matters (Especially for What You Already Have)

In this episode of The Quest for Self, we take a journey through gratitude and rediscover the gifts we often overlook. We begin in Madrid, where a chance encounter with a blind man forces us to confront how easily we take eyesight and mobility for granted. From there, we explore deeply personal stories — boarding the first flight home to find my mom after her stroke, watching her relearn life one small step at a time, and walking with a dear friend through a cancer diagnosis. We unpack why we forget gratitude — how familiarity, routine, distraction, and loss dim our awareness. Then we dive into practices: journaling, sensory awareness, noticing what’s new, and cultivating deliberate pauses. We ask you reflective questions to bring back ...