The Flag of Gratitude

The Flag of Gratitude

This morning, as I stood watching the sunrise, I was reminded of how beautiful beginnings truly are. The sky was shifting through colors—soft pinks, golds, and gentle blues—each moment changing like the rhythm of breath. The sun rose with a vibrational frequency that I could feel, not just see. It wasn’t just light—it was life awakening again.

There’s something sacred about sunrise. Unlike the harsh light of midday, it welcomes you softly. You can gaze into it without pain, like looking into a promise. As I stared at the rising sun, the rays rippled outward like circles in a pond after a pebble falls—small, yet powerful. It reminded me that even the smallest act of creation sends ripples through the world.

I thought back to when I couldn’t even step into the sunlight. After open-heart surgery, I wasn’t allowed to lift more than a milk jug. My body, once strong, felt fragile. But through that humbling season, I learned the sacred rhythm of gratitude. Gratitude for breath. Gratitude for the sun. Gratitude for every person who’s part of my story—my wife, my daughter, my family, my friends. For those who’ve lost loved ones or relationships, I hold gratitude that love still lives within memory and connection.

As the sun rose higher, I raised what I call “the flag of gratitude.” When that flag is lifted, the soul begins to rise too—like a phoenix emerging from ashes. Optimism takes flight. Hope becomes visible again. Each day offers a new chance to create, to love, to serve, to contribute.

We are created by a Creator who formed us in His image—creative by nature. Our bodies are vessels; our souls are eternal. Through our senses we experience life, but through our spirit, we understand meaning. Creation is the bridge between the seen and the unseen. And every time we create something—whether art, movement, friendship, or faith—we honor the Creator within us.

So I start my day giving thanks—for the miracle of health, for the calling to teach, coach, love, and write. For the opportunity to help others see that greatness already lives within them. We are meant to create what we love, connect with others who share it, and contribute it back to the world. That’s the full circle of gratitude: Creation, Connection, and Contribution.

When we live this way, life becomes a sunrise that never ends—each day, a new beginning.