Contributing Writer: Gail Zelitzky

A reflection on why gratitude is the most powerful choice we can make.

World Gratitude Day is September 21. I find myself reflecting not only on the blessings in my own life but also on the deep suffering that so many endure. From Ukraine and Gaza to communities across our own country, hunger, famine, and violence bring daily heartbreak. I think about the most recent shooting in Minnesota and the innocent children across the U.S. who have been killed or maimed by senseless gunfire, traumatized by sex trafficking—tragedies that could end if our leaders had the courage to act. In moments like these, I cannot help but wonder: is the ego of our politicians so great that they refuse to honor the sanctity of life?

And yet, despite the darkness in our world, I am reminded of the extraordinary power of gratitude. Gratitude does not erase pain, but it reshapes how we carry it. It is a choice that lightens the spirit, reduces stress, and keeps bitterness at bay. At 83, I know that if I do not make gratitude central to my character, I risk my own well-being and longevity.

A Life in Decades

Recently, Vickie Rock, a guest on our Women Over 70–Aging Reimagined podcast, invited me to reflect on each decade of my life by naming the emotions I felt and the values I gained. At first, when I looked at my notes, I thought, “If someone who didn’t know me read this, she might think I was a troubled, broken soul.”

But the truth is quite the opposite. My life, like all lives, has carried joy and sorrow, heartbreak and resilience. Each decade has offered me a new lesson, a new strength: the security of family, the challenges of parenthood, the devastation of divorce, the courage of independence, the joy of love, the grief of loss, and the rediscovery of purpose. Far from broken, I see a tapestry woven with resilience, learning, and gratitude.

Choosing Gratitude Daily

I have always believed the cup is half full. My days brim with work, friendships, and activities that keep me moving forward and seeking new ways to give others voice. When I find myself alone, I savor my own company—calling friends, baking bread, cooking a delicious dinner. Friends, old and new, are the “gravy” of my life, enriching each chapter with love, laughter, and support.

Nature, too, sustains me. I love walking by the lake, grateful for the greenery and vitality of my city neighborhood. The vibrancy of people speaking different languages, families strolling, children laughing, and dogs racing by fills me with joy. I am grateful that I can choose where and how I live, and that my surroundings reflect life’s abundance.

I think often of women like Sally Duplantier, another podcast guest, whose happiness shines every time I see her. Now in her third career, she helps older adults live fully without chronic disease or disability. She reminds me that we all have choices to make—and that the choices we make shape the life we live.

For me, gratitude has been that choice. Even in my most difficult decades—through despair, estrangement, or illness—I realized I could give my life over to bitterness and sadness, or I could focus on the good that remained: the man who became my husband, the children (his and mine) who brought joy, the work that allowed me to uplift others. The more I chose gratitude, the more doors opened.

My Mantra for Living

Now, in my ninth decade, I begin each day with a mantra:

Life is good.
Life is great.
Today’s a day to celebrate.

Gratitude guides me in how I live, how I love, and how I contribute. From my journey, I have learned:

• It’s always the people in your life who make the difference.
• Only you can find and maintain your own happiness.
• Quality of life depends on how you act and treat others.
• Heartache is universal—you can accept it without letting it define you.

Why Gratitude Matters

Through Women Over 70–Aging Reimagined, we have interviewed more than 360 women, ages 70 to 110. Their stories prove repeatedly that gratitude is not simply an emotion—it is a way of life. Gratitude empowers women to find their voices, to live with vitality and courage, and to make a difference in the world.

So, on this World Gratitude Day, I invite you to pause and reflect. What fills you with gratitude today? In choosing gratitude, we not only enrich our own lives but also help create a more compassionate, hopeful world.