This article is part of Finding the Words, a newsletter that delivers practical insights on the day’s issues.

Last week, a friend forwarded me a note from someone he had crossed paths with years earlier. By the tone of the lovely email, she had clearly held on to their brief but memorable exchange.

As he shared, "She had no idea how good it made me feel to be remembered."

His note didn't stop there, and what he shared next has stayed with me all week:

"If I can think of thanking someone who does something kind for me, it's possible that I will cause them to feel just as special."

Love really does make the world go round. And these days, when it's natural to have lingering feelings of anxiety or overwhelm, it's important to remember that we can feel both overwhelmed by life AND extremely grateful for the people in it.

So today's little missive is just a reminder that practicing gratitude can do the heart good, particularly when you feel overwhelmed by the complexities of life.

Ironically, those days can be the most important for practicing gratitude.

Here's why:

Studies have shown that simple acts of connection, like texting a friend "just because" can have a very large impact on our well-being. And this recent study found that practicing gratitude—15 minutes a day, five days a week—for at least six weeks can enhance mental wellness and help promote a lasting change in perspective.

So, if 15 minutes is all it takes, here are some ways you can surely practice gratitude today:

Send a few texts or emails thanking the people in your life for being there.
Write a handwritten letter to someone who would love to hear from you.
Phone a friend, a family member, or an old colleague just to say hi.
Reach out and reconnect with someone who would love to "be remembered."

If you're unsure about the handwritten letter idea, here's one more study for you: A 2005 study by Martin Seligman found that writing and delivering a letter of gratitude to someone for five days in a row increased self-reported happiness scores for at least one month afterward.

Now, that's a lingering feeling worth striving for.

Bottom Line: If you're feeling a bit lost or overwhelmed by it all today, counter that feeling with some small acts of appreciation. Not only will you brighten someone's day, but you may also feel the glow of the gesture for days to come.

Subscribe

This post is part of the Finding The Words column, a series published every Wednesday that delivers a dose of communication insights direct to your inbox. If you like what you read, we hope you’ll subscribe to ensure you receive this each week.

Other Featured Essays

This Act Will Do Your Heart Good.

If you're feeling a bit lost or overwhelmed by it all today, counter that feeling with some small acts of appreciation. Not only will you brighten someone's day, but you may also feel the glow of the gesture for days to come.

Read More →

What Have We Learned?

Even in challenging and uncertain times, there will always be people who light the way and protect the truth; leaders who bring their souls to work, and who care without condition, as I felt repeatedly in this hopeful series of conversations. Thanks to each of these special guests for joining me this season and to you, for being along in this learning journey with me.

Read More →

From Here to Where?

As we've learned well over the years, any strategic planning process—from launching a prize to setting an organization up for its next five years of impact—requires a fierce commitment to focus, a shared understanding of the goal, and a collective commitment to the target.

Read More →

When to Quit.

Your role might change, and your job might evolve, but your mission can always remain intact, whether you choose to stay or leave a certain environment. When everything around feels upended, stay planted in what you know for sure, even if that means advancing the work a different way, and from a different place.

Read More →

Call the Meeting.

There’s no other way to say it. These are difficult days that require difficult conversations and decisions. We can either feel defeated and come into each new day unsure if we have a chance, or we can align around what’s in our control and maintain our best game plan discipline.

Read More →

DEI is Evolving, not Disappearing.

So, while the headlines may lead you to believe that DEI is dying, look closer, and you'll see that most organizations remain just as committed to their core commitments, even as pressures mount. Look beyond the headlines. You'll find positive actions and adjustments being made to keep DEI efforts on track and moving forward—and excellent inspiration to keep your efforts moving forward, too.

Read More →