Gratitude is a catalyst

The lyric behind last week’s post was from Dave Matthews Band’s 'Ants Marching': “'People in every direction - no words exchanged, no words exchanged, no time to exchange…”

That reflection was about waking up from routine, recognizing patterns we fall into, and asking whether our rhythms were ours or inherited. Awareness gives us the freedom to change the beat.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored rhythm, intention, and awareness — the notes that shape how we live and lead. As the year closes, one final theme ties them all together: gratitude.

Gratitude (noun): the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

As William Arthur Ward wrote, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Gratitude isn’t just something we feel — it’s something we express. It’s a quiet practice that grounds us, reconnects us, and reminds us that progress, connection, and meaning rarely happen alone.

Consider where gratitude wants to show up this season:

• For yourself. Acknowledge the effort, resilience, and growth that brought you here. Write yourself a simple note about one thing you’re proud of — and keep it where you can see it.

• For your team. Recognition is most powerful when it’s specific. Point out the creativity, collaboration, or courage that made a difference this year.

• For your clients. Go beyond “thank you for your business.” Acknowledge the trust, the partnership, and the shared journey toward something better.

• For family and friends. The quiet constants — the ones who cheer from the sidelines and catch you in the in-betweens. A conversation, a call, or time spent together often says the most.

Gratitude is a catalyst. When we move it from thought to action, it transforms relationships, restores perspective, and re-energizes purpose. Gratitude doesn’t just end the melody — it changes the way we’ll hear the next one.