“Gratitude transforms common days into thanksgiving, routine jobs into joy, and changes ordinary opportunities into blessings. Gratitude has the power to heal, energize, and transform lives.” 

During a holiday in Cape Town last December, I stumbled upon a quaint little bookstore in Kalk Bay. As I browsed through the shelves, one book caught my attention. It was a 45-page work by Oliver Sacks, bound in royal blue with the word Gratitude embossed in gold cursive letters. In the book, he shared his reflections on life, cancer, and the lessons he had learned—simple yet profound gems of wisdom.

What stood out to me the most was a message about slowing down and taking time to appreciate life’s precious moments. Gratitude helps us tune into what’s good in our lives, focus on what inspires us, and honor the small blessings that fill our days. This practice has the ability to shift our mindset and guide us on our own healing journey, helping us become more aware of the abundance already present in our lives. 

Every time I immerse myself in gratitude, I feel a profound shift within—my body feels lighter, my mind more peaceful, and my world more vibrant. It’s as though a new layer of energy and vitality floods into my life, enriching every moment. The more I practice, the more I begin to notice the little things—the laughter of a friend, the warmth of the sun on my skin, the beauty of nature, and the love in the simple, everyday interactions. Gratitude has the ability to bring the mundane into sharp focus, filling the ordinary with extraordinary meaning.

I encourage everyone to reflect on their healing journey and identify what brings them joy and gratitude. I believe that each step on our healing journey is a testament to our resilience and strength. Ultimately, embracing our healing journey is about growth, learning, and transformation.

What’s truly remarkable about gratitude is that it’s not just about uttering the words “I am grateful”—it’s about deeply connecting with the good in our lives. When we consciously open ourselves to gratitude, we create an expansive feeling within, a shift in energy that transforms not only how we see the world but also how we experience it. This feeling grows and expands with each act of gratitude, and the more we focus on what’s good, the more we start to notice the synchronicities and miracles that begin to unfold.

But it is not merely in the saying of the words ‘I am grateful’, but in deeply connecting with what’s good in our lives and the expansive feeling in the centre of our chests, that we expand and our experience shifts.  Actively scanning for joyful daily moments and blessings has the power to change our lives, bodies, brains and hearts.  In gratitude, we fall in love with ourselves and our lives. .

This is the true magic of gratitude: it has the power to unlock new energy and vitality within us, guiding us on our healing journey and helping us heal from within. During the holidays, I invited several close friends and family members to join me in a Gratitude Game—a playful and interactive way to embrace the healing power of gratitude together. We shared our moments of thankfulness, celebrated each other’s wins, and uplifted one another in the process. The energy in the room was electric as we fed off one another’s joy, each of us feeling deeply supported and encouraged by the practice.

Join me in this healing journey as we explore the power of gratitude and its ability to change lives. Each person’s healing journey is unique, filled with its own challenges and triumphs.

Some people loved it so much, they asked me to run it again, and I, of course, said YES.  So, if you feel called to play along please send your e-mail address to jax@jaxtheartist.co.za and we will let you know the new dates.