Gratitude Poems – That Inspire Appreciation & Joy
Gratitude is a powerful feeling of being thankful for all the good in your life. When we are grateful, we are allowing ourselves to focus on what is going well in life and to acknowledge our appreciation of all the good. Instead of focusing on problems, issues and things outside of our control.
We speak a lot around here about the immense benefits of gratitude and how to ‘sprinkle’ it throughout your life as much as possible. There are many tools, tips and inspiration on the ‘how’ of gratitude, but another great way is to read these beautiful poems of gratitude.
That’s because poems have a way of interrupting your normal thought patterns. Instead of reading a wall of text, reading a poem can encourage you to really think, to question and contemplate. Thankful poems and those that direct our mind to gratitude can be uplifting and positive.
We hope you enjoy these poems about gratitude:
I Am Thankful For
Nancy J Carmody
I am thankful for
…..the mess to clean up after a party
because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
…..the taxes that I pay
because it means that I’m employed.
…..the clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means I have enough to eat.
…..my shadow who watches me work
because it means I am out in the sunshine.
…..the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I am capable of walking.
…..all the complaining I hear about our Government
because it means we have freedom of speech.
…..that lady behind me in church who sings offkey
because it means that I can hear.
…..lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home.
…..my huge heating bill
because it means that I am warm.
…..weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
because it means that I have been productive.
…..the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours
because it means that I am alive.
Gratitude
Edgar Albert Guest
Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way,
Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day,
Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do,
For round about you there are men less fortunate than you.
Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to bloom,
The tenderness of kindly hearts that shared your days of gloom,
Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath your feet,
The soft caresses of your babes and all their laughter sweet.
Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blessed you are,
How much there is to gladden life, how little life to mar!
And what if rain shall fall to-day and you with grief are sad,
Be grateful that you can recall the joys that you have had.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie
When Giving is All We Have
Alberto Ríos
One river gives
Its journey to the next.
We give because someone gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.
We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.
We have been better for it,
We have been wounded by it
Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,
Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails.
Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too,
But we read this book, anyway, over and again:
Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand,
Mine to yours, yours to mine.
You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.
Together we are simple green. You gave me
What you did not have, and I gave you
What I had to give – together, we made
Something greater from the difference.
“Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside. No matter what is going on outside of us, there’s always something we could be grateful for.” Barry Neil Kaufman
Be Thankful
Unknown
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
Gratitude Tips, Tools & Further Inspiration:
- The 7-Day Gratitude Challenge That Brings Fast Results
- Why is Gratitude Important?
- 9 Examples of Gratitude To Try (Beyond a Gratitude Journal)
- 6 Ted Talks On The Power Of Gratitude
- How To Practice Gratitude – 11 Simple Ideas
- 80+ Gratitude Journal Prompts (+ Free Printable)
- 74 Gratitude Quotes: A Reminder Of The Good
- 20 Funny Gratitude Quotes: Because Life Isn’t Always Rosy!
- 16 Gratitude Quotes for Kids; Simple to Digest and Discuss Together
