Ingratitude often results from misunderstanding the nature of thanks, failing to see the bigger picture of our lives, or forgetting to nurture a spirit of gratefulness.– Diana Butler Bass, Grateful As with any spiritual practice, gratefulness has its pitfalls. We might call these fallacies, where people can use the concept of gratefulness loosely to justify … Continue reading 4 Gratefulness Fallacies
Join the 40-Day Gratefulness Experiment This Lent
I'm excited to offer a 40-Day Gratefulness Experiment during Lent! The Gratefulness Experiment is a small group experience where you engage your gratitude muscles as you practice solo and group spiritual disciplines, which helps us access the realities of God's goodness in everyday life. The 40-day Gratefulness Experiment goes from March 5 (Ash Wednesday) to … Continue reading Join the 40-Day Gratefulness Experiment This Lent
The 700 Club Canada Interview
Loreli Cockram is interviewed by 700 Club Canada about the story behind The Gratefulness Experiment and why it's important for us as believers to grow in gratefulness.
Join the Next Gratefulness Experiment
Here's the short story: In the fall of 2022, I was on the verge of burnout. I was tired, short-fused, and had a stunning lack of compassion, even though I worked in a compassion ministry. Friends, family, and co-workers were noticing I wasn't myself. I could chalk it up to over-working or the stresses of … Continue reading Join the Next Gratefulness Experiment
3 reasons why a gratefulness practice is difficult
Gratitude is having its day in the sun as a simple yet immensely helpful lifestyle discipline. I have yet to find a study that counters its benefits for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being, but I've been curious about what the studies don't show. When I look at the attrition rate for a fairly uncomplicated … Continue reading 3 reasons why a gratefulness practice is difficult
Grateful in and for Community
An attribute of gratefulness is that it can't be practiced alone, not to its full extent. By its nature, it is a reciprocal activity. There is (a) an acknowledgment that we've received something outside of ourselves, and (b) a fulfillment of gratefulness by its outward expression to whom we are grateful. Here's an example. As … Continue reading Grateful in and for Community
Checking the Wiring
Living in Ghana during a drought and frequent power outages, the author struggled with ingratitude. Following Ghanaian neighbours' example, she learned to appreciate moments of electricity and found the gifts of being without it. Returning to Canada, Loreli no longer took basic amenities for granted and began to realize the importance of gratefulness.
Thankfulness or Blessing, Which Comes First?
The post reflects on finding gratitude in everyday moments, even amidst a challenging day in a bustling city. A chance encounter with a kind young girl highlights the transformative power of thankfulness, inspiring a shift in perspective and recognizing the abundance of goodness around us.
A year of living gratefully
It's been a year of grateful living! The question that started it all was, What changes when we give thanks? A year ago I was headed toward burnout and was stunningly short on compassion even though I worked in a helping ministry. I put to the test the "in everything" from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In … Continue reading A year of living gratefully
In Everything 