120 Gratitude Quotes To Appreciate Life
Expressing gratitude is an important part of appreciating life and all it has to offer. Taking time each day to acknowledge the good things, both big and small, helps create a sense of well-being and contentment. In this article, we have curated 120 short gratitude quotes to inspire just that.
The quotes are divided into several categories to help readers focus on different aspects of their lives to be thankful for. Some sections explore relationships and finding gratitude in family and friends. Others look at health, nature, and basic blessings that are often taken for granted. By reflecting on these thoughts each day, one becomes aware of life’s gifts rather than dwelling on what is lacking.
This compilation aims to encourage an attitude of thankfulness through brief inspirational words from famous personalities, spiritual leaders, and regular people just like you and me. My hope is that browsing through these gratitude quotes helps you not just to appreciate life a little more but also to pay kindnesses forward and spread more goodwill.
1. Life-changing gratitude sayings
Life-changing gratitude sayings
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
1.”When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” – Tecumseh
“Every time you worry, every time you fret, think of all the things you have and not what you haven’t yet.” – Donaldo Amado
3.”Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer
“When it rains look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars.” – Unknown
“However gloomy things look, always look on the bright side of life.” – Monty Python (Always Look on the Bright Side of Life)
“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” – Unknown
“All else is unreal. Take joy in simple things – like a walk, a breath or sitting silently.” – Sufi saying
“Don’t let the past take away your present happiness or your future possibilities of joy. Live life filled with thanks.” – Unknown
“The brightness of the sun is yours. The blue of the sky is yours, and yours the softness of the wind that kisses your face.” – John D. Milliken
“When you have lived long enough to see the same faces come around twice, you know it’s time for a deep expression of gratitude.” – Alice Cooper
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Melody Beattie
“Take a few minutes to sit quietly and reflect on your own mortality and on life’s brevity and uncertainties. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for what you have.” – Stephen Covey
“Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?” – Charlie Brown
“Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is our ignorance of the length of our days kept constantly before our eyes.” – Marcus Aurelius
“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the beauty of creation, the joy of learning, and for another day of honest labor. How rich we all are.” – M. F. K. Fisher
“Thank God for what you have; while praying for what you need.” – Unknown
“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome all fears.” – Maya Angelou
2. Quotes on thankfulness and blessings
“We can never create or recreate ourselves and our lives without counting our blessings.” – Brene Brown
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
“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.” – Melody Beattie
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” – Willie Nelson
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Melody Beattie
“Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” – German Proverb
“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes.” – Edgar A. Guest
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” – Anonymous
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.” – Cicero
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
“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.” – Melody Beattie
“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.” – Colette
“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” – John Milton
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
3. Positive reflections on gratefulness
“Thank you for each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius
“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” – Pope Pius XII
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer
“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 makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melodie Beattie
“Focusing your life solely on trying to avoid pain will only make you injured, bitter, and afraid. The fuller way is to seek life’s beauty – to foster awe, joy, compassion, and kindness.” – Jonathan Haidt
“Hard times often lead to great things.” – Josh Billings
“It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.” – Anonymous
“Start each day by telling yourself: I can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward
“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” – Tecumseh
“Each moment is a fresh beginning. Taste it, savor it, and start anew.” – Tayyaba
“The best way to appreciate life is to spread sunshine through selflessness and kindness.” – Dada Bhagwan
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. Through Christ, our hardships often prepare us for an even more wonderful future.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“You will break out of that small space that’s held you back so long. And you’ll turn around and extend your hand to lift someone else up too.” – Max Lucado
“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Let today’s blessings be today’s thanks.” – Anonymous
“Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine cushion for old age.” – Booth Tarkington
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” – W.T. Purkiser
4. Appreciating what truly matters quotes
‘If you’re young, appreciate the time and health you have. If you’re old, appreciate the wisdom and experience you’ve gained.’ – Source Unknown
‘Focus on the blessings, not the burden’ – Source Unknown
‘Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never have enough.’ – Source Unknown
‘Sometimes it takes losing everything to find out what really matters.’ – Source Unknown
‘Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.’ – Source Unknown
‘Count your blessings instead of your crosses; count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes; count your friends instead of your foes.’ – Helen Steiner Rice
‘I’m grateful for what I have, yet greedy for what I want, but now I’ve learned to appreciate what I do have and want what I appreciate.’ – Unknown
‘You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That’s a part of it. So don’t be mad at the rain.’ – Source Unknown
‘Surround yourself with people who appreciate your light.’ – Source Unknown
‘Learn to appreciate what you have before time makes you appreciate what you had.’ – Unknown
‘I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.’ – Henry David Thoreau
‘A person who appreciates small pleasures will never want for big ones.’ – Source Unknown
‘True happiness isn’t about the amount of wealth you have; it’s about the quality of relationships you create.’ – Source Unknown
‘Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never, ever have enough.’ – Oprah Winfrey
‘Appreciate even the smallest miracles, where you see G‐d’s goodness every day.’ – Rabbi Noah Weinberg
‘I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.’ – Henry David Thoreau
‘Nourish your blessings of the things you’ve got, instead of what you haven’t got.’ – L. R. Knost
‘If I had to choose between breathing and appreciating my life, I would choose appreciating because I can live without oxygen but not without gratitude.’ – Tyler Knott Gregson
‘Appreciate small miracles, where you see G‐d’s goodness every day.’ – Rabbi Noah Weinberg
‘We never appreciate what we have until it’s gone.’ – L. R. Knost
5. Words of wisdom on being thankful
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Practicing gratefulness opens our eyes to seeing reasons to give thanks even in difficult times.” -Unknown
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” -William Arthur Ward
“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 makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melodie Beattie
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
“While you’re complaining about a problem, the world is solving it. So stop complaining and be part of the solution.” – Dalai Lama
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.” – William Blake
“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Whatever you are grateful, you will have more of that in your life.” – Robin S. Sharma
“When we express gratitude, when we acknowledge the goodness in our lives, all things work together for good.” – Brian Adams
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous
“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 transforms the ordinary into beauty, and it turns fear into love.” – Melody Beattie
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
“This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” – William Shakespeare
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” – Zig Ziglar
“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
“Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.” – Winston Churchill
6. Powerful thoughts on living with gratitude
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Melody Beattie
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“When we worry and fret, we are only living twice.” – Joseph Addison
“Live life as though everything is rigged in your favor.” – Rumi
“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.” – Melody Beattie
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
“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.” – Melody Beattie
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.” – Cary Grant
“Cherish yesterday’s memories, dream tomorrow’s dreams, but live for today.” – Proverb
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom
“Every day may not be good…but there is good in every day.” – Unknown
“Breathing in, I send myself love. Breathing out, I send love to someone in need of love.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” – Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
“Be grateful for your health or it will sadden you when you are sick.” – Unknown
“The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions – the little soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of pleasurable and Genial feeling.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough and it turns what we don’t have into joy.” -Anonymous
“It’s not happy people who are grateful. It’s grateful people who are happy.” – Zig Ziglar
Conclusion
Gratitude is a fundamental part of living a happy life. The quotes discussed in this article highlight reasons we all have to feel thankful each day, from loved ones to lessons learned. Reflecting on these grateful sentiments is a reminder of how blessed we truly are, even in small ways, and can help us gain perspective during challenging times. I encourage taking a moment to reread a few quotes that resonate with you personally. Keeping an attitude of appreciation will not only enrich your own life, but also shine through in your relationships with others. May these words inspire you to feel gratitude each day.
