I want to share a story about practicing gratefulness and how it truly changed my life. Back in 2012, I found myself in a bit of a funk — stuck, unmotivated, and unable to pull myself out of it. One day I came across a book called The Magic, a follow‑up to The Secret and The Power, which I had read before. Something in me said, “Just try it,” so I did.

The book was all about gratitude. For 28 days, you read a few pages and completed a simple daily practice. And I committed — every single day. As the days went on and I actually did each activity, I started to feel my mood shift. Slowly at first, then all at once. I found myself feeling lighter, happier, and genuinely grateful just to be alive and present in the moment.

At one point I checked to see when the 28 days would end — and realized the final day landed on Easter. The biggest religious day of the year. I took it as a sign. I felt like something big was going to happen.

But Easter came… and nothing happened. In fact, the day felt a little underwhelming. I remember feeling disappointed, like I had been waiting for something I couldn’t name, and it just didn’t show up.

Fast forward to the very next day.

A coworker mentioned that her grandmother was looking to rehome her toy Maltese, Sassy. I had always loved that breed. I wasn’t even looking for a dog, but something in me said I had to meet her. And the moment we saw each other, it was instant. She came home with me that same day.

Looking back, that was the “big thing” I had been waiting for — it just didn’t arrive on the day I expected. Sassy has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. She brought so much joy, comfort, and love into our home. She’s going on 16 this year, and she’s still my little miracle.

Gratitude didn’t change my circumstances overnight — it changed me. And because of that, the right things found their way into my life exactly when they were meant to.