How lucky are we – turning ordinary days into reasons to be grateful

We may not have a national Thanksgiving Day in South Africa. No parades. No pumpkin pie. And definitely no turkey. But that doesn’t mean we can’t create our own version to say thank you. Not just in our heads, but out loud – in small, meaningful ways that remind the people around us they matter.

August has given us the perfect opportunity to pause and show gratitude to all the women who make the world a better place. I’m not sure I always stop long enough to tell the incredible women in my life just how much they mean to me. So instead of letting August pass in a blur, I’ve decided to turn it into a little personal celebration of gratitude. A reminder that the people who show up for us, stand by us, and cheer us on – deserve to be seen and appreciated. It doesn’t have to be grand gestures. Often, the most meaningful gift you can give is your time – to be present and make space for the important people in your life over the urgent to-do’s.

Gratitude doesn’t need an official day. But it does need practice.

We often think of kindness and generosity as gifts we give to others. But one of the most meaningful gifts we can give ourselves is time to reflect. I keep a gratitude journal – it’s something I’ve shared often and continue to do every day. It’s a small ritual that reminds me how much there is to be thankful for.

It’s also a good time to check in with yourself. If something feels heavy – like an obligation, or a commitment that drains rather than energises you – maybe it’s a sign to let it go. If it feels light, joyful, or meaningful, say yes. Sometimes the most generous thing you can do is to honour your own energy and move through your days with more lightness.

Replacing “I have to” with “How lucky am I to…”

I loved reading something Brent Lindeque from Good Things Guy recently shared on social media. He spoke about a simple mindset shift to lift your day – replacing “I have to” with “I get to.” It’s such a small change – but a powerful one. It reminds us that the things we so often dread – errands, family obligations, shopping, cooking, mowing the lawn – are the very things we’re lucky to have, and fortunate to do.

If you’d like to join me in my personal gratitude celebration quest, here’s a little challenge for the month ahead: Pick one, a few, or think of your own:

• Turn “I have to” into “how lucky am I to”.
• Be observant – noticing what someone truly needs or loves, and surprise them with it.
• Call someone who’s made a difference in your life.
• Give a compliment that costs nothing but means everything.
• Offer to mentor someone or teach them a new skill.
• Make time for the people who matter most, even when life feels busy.

Let’s find small ways to say, “You matter.” Because everything we do with love matters – to others and to the person we’re becoming along the way.