Meister Eckhart once said,
“If the only prayer you ever said was ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”

Joe Dispenza offers a modern echo of this truth:
“Gratitude is the ultimate state of receivership.”

Both expressions point to the same essential idea: genuine gratitude shifts our mindset—and our energy—into a receptive, abundant state.

Why is this important? Is gratitude merely a way to get more things in life? I believe it goes much deeper than that. Living in a state of gratitude opens the heart and brings us into present-moment awareness of the good already in our lives, as well as what we are open to receiving. When I use the word good, I am referring to experiences that draw us closer to living as Love—as God.

We could have all the things in the world and still be miserable. Haven’t you experienced that, or at least witnessed it? The wealthiest people are not necessarily the happiest.

Research from sources such as Harvard Health and Positive Psychology literature shows that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness, improved emotional resilience, and stronger social relationships. These findings are based on thousands of participants across multiple countries and contexts—not just isolated laboratory results—suggesting that the gratitude–happiness connection is robust across cultures and populations.

Practicing gratitude, then, keeps us in a positive state—better prepared to meet the challenges we face, or may yet face, in life.

For myself, I would not want my life to pass without deep appreciation and gratitude for every moment I have to love, create, and experience—not only the beautiful moments, but the simple miracle of being alive: breathing, seeing, hearing, and feeling every emotion.

There is so much for which to be grateful. Even writing this blog has lifted my state into a higher vibration.

Affirm: “Gratitude is the ground from which my life unfolds.”

Living in Gratitude,

Rev. Dr. Rita Andriello-Feren

Co-Founding Spiritual Director, CSL Kaua‘i
Author • Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator • Consciousness Coach