"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. Embrace the small moments, for they often carry the biggest smiles." - Oprah Winfrey
When I read the quote above from Oprah Winfrey, I think I could split it in two and right a few words about both of them. First of all, she says that joy is the simplest form of gratitude. Think about it for some seconds. What does it mean?
It means that by being happy and satisfied, you are actually showing gratitude. Isn't that special? As I think about God, it is often hard to feel thankful when life is hard and tough. But, by being happy I am actually smiling to God telling him that I am grateful to him, I am grateful, as I am happy. Why am I happy? In the end, it is about God loving me, and that he has forgiven me, and that gives me something to be happy about in the midst of all despair and stress.
So, having joy, and being happy, is actually about telling your surroundings "thank you."
Then she tells us to embrace the small moments. That is extremely important. It is often those small moments, those tiny smiles, that little good deed that gives you the biggest reasons to rejoice in life. Maybe that little walk with your spouse or your kid, or some stolen moments while waiting on a red light in traffic. These are crucial, and it is so important to protect them and to enjoy them.