Finding Gratitude in the Storms of Life

In the middle of life’s calm, storms have a way of striking hard and fast. 

A storm arrived in the form of Hurricane Helene in my beautiful hometown of Asheville, NC last month. The storm ravaged my town, bringing destruction I hadn’t imagined possible. Trees toppled, homes crumbled, and the familiar landscape was unrecognizable.

But beyond the physical wreckage, the storm swept through our lives, leaving us emotionally raw, our nerves frayed and our hearts heavy. In this landscape of loss, many have discovered what has become truly important: resilience, community, and perhaps most surprisingly, gratitude.

Rebuilding in the Face of Loss

In the days following the hurricane, life became a blur of small, weary steps. Picking up debris, sorting through the remains of what had once been a family’s history, and comforting neighbors who were doing the same. The immediate aftermath felt surreal, almost like walking through a dream.

Despite the initial shock and grief, something extraordinary started to emerge in the days that followed. People from all over the country showed up with meals and supplies. Strangers brought kindness, sharing stories and tools and spare blankets. I found myself deeply grateful for the smallest gestures I witnessed—a warm cup of coffee handed over by a neighbor, a flashlight when the nights stretched on too long, a volunteer digging through the rubble to find a special plant that meant so much to my friend. In those quiet exchanges, I began to see gratitude not as a mere comfort but as a potent force for healing.

How Gratitude Heals Us

What I learned after the storm, and what neuroscience confirms, is that gratitude has a profound effect on our bodies, minds, and emotions. 

When we focus on what we’re thankful for, even in moments of hardship, we trigger a series of changes in our brain chemistry that promote resilience and healing. Gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good hormones that lift our spirits and give us a sense of well-being. Studies show that these neurotransmitters play a role in regulating our moods, reducing stress, and even improving sleep—key ingredients for anyone trying to recover from trauma or upheaval.

There’s also evidence that gratitude can lower cortisol, the hormone our body releases during moments of stress. After a traumatic event, our cortisol levels often stay elevated, leaving us on edge and making it harder to find peace. But practicing gratitude—taking a moment each day to focus on what we appreciate—can actually lower those stress hormones, creating a little breathing room for the body and emotions to recover.

Moving Forward with a Heart of Gratitude

As I watched my friends and family move forward from Hurricane Helene, I realized that gratitude isn’t just something to make us feel good in the moment. It’s a way to focus on the positive and remind us of the strength within us and around us. As I talked to friends and family, I witnessed how they focused on what was still good and the unbelievable kindness of strangers- even on days when it felt nearly impossible to see any silver linings. Bit by bit, I saw how gratitude was helping people heal, feel connected, and find hope again.

A Daily Gratitude Practice for This Month

If you’re going through something tough or just want to have more peace in your life, I encourage you to try this gratitude practice:

1. Every morning or evening, take five minutes to write down three things you’re grateful for.
   They don’t have to be monumental—just things that bring you joy or comfort. It could be as simple as a warm meal, a friend’s text, a pet’s unconditional love, or even the sight of a sunrise or sunset.
2. Write down how each thing made you feel and why it mattered to you.
   This step helps deepen the sense of gratitude and gives it personal meaning.
3. Express gratitude directly.
   If there’s someone in your life you’re thankful for, let them know. Send a message, make a call, or even write a note. The act of sharing gratitude strengthens connections, helping you and others feel valued and loved.

We celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving this month. Allow yourself to focus on what’s good, even when it’s hard. And in those moments of gratitude, you’ll find strength and healing in ways you never thought possible. 

Gratitude doesn’t erase our struggles, but it does help us see through them, lighting the path forward, even on the darkest of days.