Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Gratitude for What Didn’t Happen

Imagine cruising with your family, thrilled about a spontaneous adventure, only to face unexpected hurdles. Joel Wong’s journey on a cruise ship with a faulty motor transformed his understanding of gratitude. The article delves into the idea that gratitude isn’t just about tangible gifts or happy moments. It’s about recognizing “beneficial absences” — the disasters that never happened, the criticisms withheld, and the advice not given. Can you express gratitude for the near-misses and grace-filled omissions in your life? Wong suggests that sometimes the best help is not helping at all, respecting autonomy and allowing us to think, “What if?” creatively, without getting stuck in regret.

Be The Change

Think about a problem you don’t currently have to worry about. Express gratitude for that today through inward reflection or by sharing with a friend.