Thought of the Day: “Gratitude paints little smiles on our hearts.” — Terri Guillemets

November 24, 2025

Gratitude is one of those ideas that sounds soft and poetic, but in real life, it is more like trying to hold onto a warm mug while the house is loud and the day is already sprinting. Gratitude is quiet, steady, and stubborn in a good way. It finds its way into the tiny corners of the day even when the bigger parts feel heavy.

When Terri Guillemets says gratitude paints little smiles on our hearts, she is not talking about the big dramatic stuff. Not the job promotions. Not the expensive vacations. Not the big once in a lifetime moments. She is talking about the tiny sparks that help you get through the day without losing your mind.

For me, those little smiles show up in moments I almost miss. When one of my kids belly laughs in a way that shakes the floor. When someone else hands me a cup of coffee before I even knew how badly I needed it. When a moment of silence sneaks in like a gift.

And yes, sometimes gratitude shows up in the form of a Thanksgiving nap that feels like it is restoring my soul one minute at a time.

If I am being honest, gratitude does not erase stress. It does not fix everything. But it does soften things. It rounds off the edges. It reminds me that even on the days when I feel stretched thin, life is still handing me these little glimmers of color.

Gratitude is less about feeling good and more about noticing the good. It is choosing to look up for a second. Even when things are messy. Even when you are tired. Even when life feels like a grocery store cart with a broken wheel pulling left while you pretend it is fine.

And Thanksgiving is a perfect stage for that reminder. There are moments during the holiday that feel chaotic and loud and overwhelming. But there are also slow moments. Quiet moments. The moments where someone else steps in. The moments where you can feel the warmth of being surrounded by people who love you.

These are the smiles painted on our hearts. They do not always come in perfect timing. They do not always arrive in the form you expect. But they show up. And they count.

🧠 Read the full blog post where I explore this Thought of the Day and the Question of the Day

✨ Browse the full Thought of the Day archive here →

✉️ Receive These Thoughts Daily

Start each day with a moment of meaning.

Sign up for the daily email.

💬 Share Your Interpretation

How does this thought hit you today? Feel free to comment or carry it quietly with you.