What Should Be the First Thing to Be Grateful For?

Why Starting with the First Thing to Be Grateful For Transforms Your Perspective on Life?

Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform our lives, but when it comes to practicing gratitude, where do we begin? With so many blessings in our lives, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But in my view, the first thing we should be grateful for is clear: it’s God. Without Him, nothing else would exist. After acknowledging this, we can move on to the other foundational blessings in our lives—being alive, being human, and appreciating the incredible body that carries us through each day.

Step 1: Gratitude for God

The very first thing we should be grateful for is God. He is the ultimate source of everything we have and everything we are. Without His divine presence, none of us would be here. Every breath we take, every moment we live, is a gift from God. By acknowledging and expressing gratitude to Him, we recognize the foundation of all our blessings. Gratitude for God is the starting point because it aligns our hearts and minds with the understanding that we are part of something much greater than ourselves. It’s a humbling reminder that everything we experience, every joy, and every challenge, is part of a divine plan.

Step 2: Gratitude for Life

Once we’ve acknowledged God as the source of all, the next thing to be grateful for is simply being alive. Life is the most precious gift we’ve been given. Every heartbeat, every breath is a miracle in itself. Being alive means we have the opportunity to experience the world, to learn, to grow, and to connect with others. Life isn’t always easy, but the fact that we are here, able to experience all that life has to offer, is something to be deeply grateful for. It’s easy to take life for granted, especially when we’re caught up in the challenges of everyday living, but stepping back and appreciating the sheer gift of existence can be incredibly grounding.

Step 3: Gratitude for Being Human

Being alive is a blessing, but being alive as a human is an even greater one. As humans, we have the unique ability to think, feel, create, and connect in ways that no other creatures can. We can love, dream, and aspire to be better. We can build relationships, make choices, and seek purpose in our lives. Being human means we have the capacity for self-reflection, for understanding the world around us, and for making a positive impact. This ability to reflect, to seek meaning, and to grow is something we should never take for granted. It’s a gift that allows us to navigate the complexities of life with a sense of purpose and direction.

Step 4: Gratitude for Our Body

Finally, we should express gratitude for our bodies. Our bodies are the vessels that carry us through life, enabling us to experience the world in all its richness. Every movement, every sensation, is made possible by the incredible design of the human body. From the beating of our hearts to the complexity of our brains, our bodies are nothing short of miraculous. Yet, it’s so easy to take our bodies for granted until something goes wrong. By being grateful for our bodies—by acknowledging their strength, resilience, and capacity—we honor the physical form that makes our life experience possible.

Conclusion: The Foundation of Gratitude

Gratitude begins with recognizing the source of all blessings—God—and flows into appreciation for life, the human experience, and our physical bodies. These foundational elements are what make everything else possible. By starting with gratitude for God, we set the stage for a life filled with appreciation, love, and purpose. Remember, gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” for the good things in life; it’s about acknowledging the deeper, more fundamental blessings that we often overlook. So, take a moment today to start at the beginning and give thanks for the things that truly matter.