In the hustle of everyday life, it’s easy to overlook what’s right in front of us. We get caught up in what went wrong yesterday or what might go wrong tomorrow. But stress often lives in those spaces—past regrets and future worries. Peace, on the other hand, lives in the now. And one of the most reliable ways to access it is through appreciation.

To appreciate is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s about recognizing the value of something while you still have it. It’s about choosing to notice the good in the present moment, even when life feels heavy.

Gratitude has a grounding effect. When you pause to appreciate what you do have, it shifts your focus from things you’re lacking to a richness of what you have. That shift doesn’t make your problems disappear—but it gives you strength and courage to face them with less fear and a more peaceful heart.

Try this: take a deep breath. Look around you—what’s something you appreciate right now?
It could be something small:

• A photo or painting
• A comfortable chair
• A moment of stillness before the next demand on your time
• A friendly smile
• The fact that you’re breathing and able to pause

Sometimes we think gratitude has to be tied to big, life-changing moments. But most of life is made up of small, ordinary moments. When we learn to appreciate those, we begin to see how much we’ve been given—and how much peace is already within reach.

Now, this isn’t about pretending everything is fine when it’s not. Life is complex. Some seasons are painful. But even in the middle of difficulty, there are always flickers of light—blessings we might otherwise overlook. Gratitude doesn’t deny reality. It anchors us in the parts of reality that are still good.

Spiritually speaking, appreciation opens the door to revelation. When we express gratitude—not just as a feeling, but as a practice—it opens our hearts to receive more. I believe that God is a giver of good gifts. And I’ve learned that when we show appreciation for what we have, it invites more light and understanding into our lives. It creates a connection between us and God that is built on humility, trust, and love.

But even if someone doesn’t yet believe in God the way I do, they can still feel the peace that gratitude brings. It lifts the heart. It calms the mind. It clears away the fog of “not enough” and allows us to see what’s already beautiful in our lives.

Here’s a small but powerful practice:
At the end of each day, write down three things you appreciated about that day. They don’t have to be profound. Maybe you found a good parking spot. Maybe you had a meaningful conversation. Maybe you made it through a tough day without giving up.

The more you practice this, the more natural it becomes to notice the good in real-time. It trains your spirit to tune in—not to ignore life’s challenges, but to see them in better balance with life’s blessings.

Appreciation is not just a feeling—it’s a habit. A habit that can lead you into less frustration and more peace.

In previous posts we’ve talked about pausing in stress, evaluating before reacting, and now appreciating the present moment. These are not magic tricks—they’re real, repeatable actions you can utilize to shift from stress toward peace. And I hope they serve you well.

Until next time, may you find joy in the small things, strength in the hard moments, and gratitude that anchors you in peace. I’m wishing you every good thing on your journey to find it.

Jonathan Hale – Your Peace Coach