Circle of Gratitude

In our mountains, there’s a special spot we call the “Circle of Gratitude.” It began some years ago when our local shaman arranged a small circle of rocks in a forest clearing. Later, someone added tree stumps around it, forming a larger circle. Over time, this space became a gathering place where shamans and locals held ceremonies and drum circles to mark various occasions.

On a personal level, I have my own “Circle of Gratitude,” a group of friends with whom I exchange daily lists of things we’re grateful for. This practice started over a decade ago and has become a meaningful part of my daily ritual — though I do miss days now and then. Each day, I try to list 12 things I’m grateful for. Some days, it flows easily; other days, it’s a struggle. But the act of writing these lists is powerful. My friends share their lists with me too, and over the years, these exchanges have become a kind of diary, offering a glimpse into what was happening in my life at the time. Sometimes, friends comment, “It sounds like you’re doing great!” even when I’m facing challenges and had to dig deep to find my gratitude. But that’s the point, isn’t it?

The benefits of practicing gratitude are well-documented — spiritually, psychologically, and clinically. It reminds us to appreciate the things we often take for granted, things that many others in the world might not have. And when I pause to truly reflect, I see that even during rough and uncertain times, there’s always so much to be grateful for.