Health is one of those blessings that whispers rather than shouts. It moves in the background of our lives, subtle and constant, so subtle that we rarely notice—until it’s gone.
When healthy, we move through the world with a kind of freedom that feels natural: rising in the morning without pain, breathing without effort, eating without caution, and walking without pain or planning. But none of these things are guaranteed. They are, in truth, small miracles. When we stop to recognize them, we begin to understand that health is not just a physical state—it’s a grace.
Having been blessed with remarkable health for 69 1/2 years, I don’t stop to give it much thought as often as I should. That changed in January when Influenza A almost took me out. Life can change in a moment and it’s wise to remember that as often as possible. A gratitude journal should always start by recognizing the health you enjoy!!!
Health allows us to show up for the people we love. It lets us work, laugh, rest, and contribute will giving us the energy to pursue purpose, the clarity to savor joy, and the strength to endure challenge. In our fast-paced lives, it can be traded away piece by piece as we skip rest, ignore symptoms, or numb stress until our bodies finally ask us to listen.
Gratitude for health doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. It means honoring what is working, even in the midst of struggle. It means saying thank you for the breath in our lungs, the beat of our hearts, the resilience of our spirits. For the healing of a wound, the clearing of a mind, the steady rhythm of a body doing its best.
For those walking through illness or recovery, the blessing of health becomes something else entirely: a beacon of hope, a goal, a memory, a daily prayer. It teaches us humility and presence. It reminds us that even in weakness, there is strength. Even in limitation, there is life.
Health isn’t a trophy we earn but a gift we are called to steward. It should be nourished with rest, movement, food, and water, while not forgetting to show kindness toward ourselves and others. Not because we fear its loss, but because we cherish its presence.
Today, take a moment to be still and grateful. Recognize the quiet miracle of a body that carries us, a mind that reasons, and a heart that beats. Health may not always be loud or glamorous, but it is one of life’s greatest blessings—and one that deserves our deepest thanks.
