Simple wisdom is often the best.

When I read the words of Lakota author and activist Doug Good Feather, I was struck not by their originality but by their poetic clarity. His insights on choosing gratitude felt fresh and compelling, reminding me of the transformative power that single decision can have on my life and the lives of those around me.

Let his words encourage you to make gratitude an intentional habit. If you do, you’ll enjoy a sweeter life, and you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.

Each and every morning offers us a chance to start anew, fresh, and to begin again. Each morning when we wake—should we choose to listen—is a message from the Creator to remember the privilege we were given of waking up. It’s a reminder to get up and prepare our self, to honor our self, to go out into the world, to connect with Mother Earth and the hearts of other beings, to inspire and encourage those who cross our paths, and most importantly, to enjoy life…

Gratitude moves stagnant energy when we’re feeling stuck in life. The simple act of practicing gratitude disrupts negative thoughts and changes our mindset to see the world in a positive way. Not only are we more attractive to others when we live in gratitude, but the most ordinary things can become extraordinary, creating a fuller, more beautiful expression of our life.

doug good feather, think indigenous: Native American spirituality for a modern world

Doug Good Feather, Think Indigenous: Native American Spirituality for a Modern World, transcribed by Doug Red Hail Pineda(Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2021), 27, 30, 31. As posted in the Nov 22, 2022 Daily Meditation by the Center for Action and Contemplation cac.org.