Gratitude: Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary
- Francia Groman
- May 15
- 5 min read
A few months ago, I came down with a bad flu? Fever, chills, and body pain left me bedridden, unable to utilize my usual tools for staying mindful and positive. I couldn’t do my asana practice. I couldn’t even sit up to breathe deeply or meditate. Walking or soaking in the sun, two of my favorite ways to reconnect with myself, weren’t options either—it was too cold outside. I hit a bottom, struggling to find my way back to a sense of peace. My toolbox containing gratitude seemed unavailable for me at this time and I felt as though I could only sink deeper into the void.
As the universe would have it, a friend and colleague had previously reached out, needing my help with her sup with the mantees retreat in Florida. Every cell in my body rejected the invitation up to the moment I got on the plane—it ended up being the opportunity I didn’t know I desperately needed—a chance to break the pattern of despair and flip the switch so I could come back to myself. The warmth of the Florida sun, the connection with other women, and the sense of purpose I felt during that retreat reignited my gratitude practice.
Before coming home I had already began noticing the smallest of comforts: the sunrise, Xavier’s face when he smiles or giggles at something silly, the steady rhythm of my heartbeat. I realized that these tiny moments had always held the potential to become a lifeline, small lights in the vast darkness of struggle.
Gratitude, I came to realize, isn’t always a grand feeling of joy or abundance.
It’s a practice, one that can transform what we already have into enough and reveal the hidden treasures in each day.
Small Lights in Vast Darkness
Darkness often comes to us in life’s heaviest blows—illness, loss, financial hardship, or the breakdown of relationships. These moments can feel overwhelming, isolating, and endless. Yet, even in the vastness of this darkness, small lights exist. A kind word, a warm hug, the sun breaking through the clouds—these moments remind us that light persists, even when it feels out of reach.
Practicing gratitude allows us to intentionally shift our focus from what was lost to what remains. This shift doesn’t diminish the reality of our suffering or invalidate our pain. Instead, it creates small islands of peace within our hardship. These moments of peace give us the strength to carry on, offering a gentle reminder that even in the darkest times, there is still something to hold onto, something worth noticing.
The Practice of Noticing
Gratitude begins with awareness. It’s about pausing to notice the beauty in the mundane: the laughter of a loved one, the resilience of a flower growing through the pavement, or the quiet peace of a morning yoga practice. When we slow down and pay attention, we uncover the magic woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
Here are three areas to focus on when cultivating the practice of noticing:
Micro-moments of connection: These are the fleeting but meaningful moments, like a smile from a stranger, a shared laugh with a loved one, or the way your dog rests her head on your lap. These small acts of connection remind us of the warmth and humanity that surrounds us.
Physical comforts: A warm cup of tea, the softness of your favorite blanket, or the feeling of the sun on your skin—these small, tangible comforts ground us in the present and offer a sense of safety and ease.
Continuing capacities: Even in difficult times, there are things your body and mind can still do—breathing deeply, savoring a meal, or simply resting when needed. Recognizing these capacities can remind us of our resilience and the ways we are still able to care for ourselves.
One powerful way to embody the practice of noticing is through the habit of going on a "gratitude walk" . This involves taking daily walks and verbally acknowledging every small thing that still works in your life. It could be the strength in your legs as you move, the beauty of the trees lining your path, or the simple fact that you have the time to take this walk. Gratitude walking keeps us grounded in what remains rather than spinning our wheels on what has gone, offering a moving meditation that ties us to the present and to the abundance that still exists around us.
By noticing and appreciating these elements, we train ourselves to see the extraordinary within the ordinary, weaving gratitude into the fabric of our daily lives.
Breaking the Isolation of Suffering
Darkness can make us feel alone, as though no one else could possibly understand our pain. Suffering often creates a bubble of isolation, making it difficult to see beyond our own struggles. But breaking through that bubble can be profoundly powerful during moments of crisis.
Gratitude allows us to acknowledge the help we receive from others—medical professionals who care for us, friends and family who check in, community members who lend a hand, or even strangers who offer a smile or small act of kindness.
When we recognize these threads of connection, we begin to see that we are never truly alone.
These moments of acknowledgment remind us that humanity is interconnected. Even in our darkest times, there are people and forces working to support us. This recognition doesn’t erase our pain, but it softens the edges of our suffering, replacing isolation with a sense of belonging and shared experience.
By focusing on these connections, we shift our perspective from one of solitude to one of unity, building a bridge between ourselves and the world around us. In this way, gratitude becomes a powerful tool for breaking the isolation of suffering and finding light in the dark.
Journaling can help guide your journey!
To deepen your gratitude practice, here are some journaling prompts to guide your reflection:
Reflect on a challenge you’ve overcome. How did it strengthen you?
Write about a character trait you are proud of. How does it shape your life?
What’s something in or about nature that you deeply appreciate?
Describe a moment of kindness you’ve experienced or shared.
List three things today—big or small—that brought you joy.
Think of a person who has positively impacted your life. What would you thank them for?
Gratitude as a Practice, Not a Feeling
Gratitude isn’t always a natural feeling, especially during life’s toughest moments. But that’s where its power lies—it’s a practice, a conscious choice to seek out and focus on the good. Over time, this practice rewires our perspective, turning gratitude into a natural state of being.
The practice of gratitude doesn’t actually require us to feel grateful in the moment.
Instead, it asks us to use gratitude as a way to orient ourselves—to deliberately turn toward what nourishes rather than what depletes. Some days, our gratitude list may be nothing more than, “I survived today,” and that is enough. In our darkest moments, gratitude doesn’t trivialize our suffering. Instead, it ensures that suffering doesn’t get the final word.
It reminds us that even amidst pain, there is light to be found, no matter how small. When we embrace gratitude as a practice, we discover that the hidden treasures of life were always there, waiting to be noticed. In this way, gratitude becomes a light that not only brightens our lives but also illuminates the lives of those around us.
Join me in person or online
I’d love to invite you to join me online or in person for yoga practices that can help you deepen your connection to gratitude and mindfulness. Whether it’s through movement, breath, or stillness, these practices are designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
You can explore the full schedule and sign up for a class here. Don't forget to use promo code "YOGALOVE10" when you book your first class!
With Love, Francia 💖
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