Living in Gratitude – wayne centrone

Living my life from a space and place of gratitude is incredibly powerful. It can be challenging to stay in a gratitude mindset. However, gratitude is abundant when I stripe away from preconceptions and live squarely in the moment. Here’s a little story that helps remind me how vital mindfulness and gratitude are in my life.

Despite his modest material possessions, Wilfredo woke up with a radiant smile every morning. His heart, once yearning for more, was now brimming with gratitude. He found joy in the simple things—the sun’s warmth on his face, warm bread for breakfast, and the birds’ melodious chirping outside in the fields.

Wilfredo’s infectious, positive outlook on life brightened his days and illuminated those around him. Even at his very tender age, his friends were in awe of his ability to find happiness in the tiniest things. They often sought him out to find the secret to perpetual happiness.

Wilfredo believed that being grateful was an ongoing, conscious decision. He knew life wasn’t always easy; he had experienced many challenges and hardships in his 14 years. However, he knew there would always be challenges and obstacles to overcome, and he knew there was always something to be thankful for.

On one fateful day, when Wilfredo was fifteen years old, his life changed drastically. Fear, frustration, and disappointment threatened to engulf him. Overnight, he became the caretaker of his three younger brothers. He found himself overcome with uncertainty about how to move forward. Instead of succumbing to the situation and circumstances, he consciously shifted his focus. He was thankful for his ability to ask for help and for the willingness of people to come to his aid. He was thankful to be with his brothers and to provide them with love and support.

As Wilfredo continued to live a life of gratitude, he noticed that his life began to change in unique ways. He felt more content and at peace with himself and began attracting more positive people and experiences into his life. Despite the challenges that sometimes overwhelmed him, he had hope.

Wilfredo realized that living a life of gratitude wasn’t just about being thankful for what he had and the abundance of living in the present moment. It was also about being open to new opportunities and experiences – and cherishing whatever and wherever life takes us. He was excited to see what the future held, and he knew that as long as he lived his life with gratitude, anything was possible.

Today, Wilfredo (not his real name) is one of the caretakers in our Casa Girasoles program. His smile is contagious. His warmth is inviting. He is a source of great pride for the other boys. He is a force of great inspiration for me.

I am grateful for the support you provide us every day. I am incredibly thankful for our organization’s work and the fantastic lives of the boys we are so fortunate to be on this journey with.