It is a word many struggle with. When it comes down to it, we all have so many things to be grateful for but it is often difficult to articulate it. The sun, our bed, my warm clothes in the winter, full bellies, hot coffee. Air.

I have never been more grateful for a breath of air then when I realized I could no longer draw in a long, deep breath. While I am still far from drawing in those deep, refreshing breaths, every breath I can take I am grateful for, as most days, they are a little easier.

A Google Search, with the help of AI says “gratitude is a warm, thankful feeling you get when you appreciate a kindness, gift, or good moment.” Today’s Path to the Portal asked us to take a moment in delight. How can we delight in our experience. Which is a different way to look at gratitude, I believe.

How can you take a moment, for yourself, in something that brings you delight.

For me, once upon a time, this would have been very difficult, but a few years ago, I started making myself a coffee later at night. I love coffee. Making one late at night is a right indulgence. It is a little bit naughty (everyone tells me not to drink coffee at night (it doesn’t bother my sleep), I stay up late (that is when I generally write), listen to music, and sometimes… I even have a couple of (store bought) oatmeal or gingersnap cookies!

Gratitude comes in many forms, take time for you today, and sometimes, carving a little ritual for yourself can change everything. Night time coffee, for me, is a delight that I have come to love. I don’t do it every night, but the nights I do are always lovely!