Embracing the Power of Gratitude with a Savory Sweet & Sour Meatball Recipe

Let’s be honest — gratitude isn’t always easy, I get it and I am one who 100% knows how lucky I am. But I am also the first to admit that gratitude isn’t always easy.  Especially when your body doesn’t cooperate. When you wake up already tired. When plans are cancelled again, because you just can’t fathom getting cleaned up, dressed and just doing it. When even the simplest tasks feel like climbing a mountain with no summit in sight.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis has taught me a lot.

Want to know what one of the hardest and most healing lessons I have learned from my MS journey over the past 15 years is?

Gratitude and pain can coexist.

What Gratitude Isn’t

Before you roll your eyes — I get it. Gratitude can feel fake when you’re in survival mode, struggling to keep your head above the water. It’s not about pretending everything is okay. It’s not about denying your symptoms, struggles, or grief. This isn’t about “just be positive and soldier on.” That mindset can be counterproductive. This is about something quieter, gentler — a lifeline if you will.

What Gratitude Can Be

When I went off on disability due to my MS, I was wiped out, pissed off and I just couldn’t see the forest for the trees but after time, gratitude became a small light in that dark forest. It started tiny — like noticing the warmth of a cup of tea in my hands. It was knowing that I could read a book if that was what I wanted to do today.  It was the feel of fresh sheets or watching the sun set on a beautiful spring day. It was the sound of birds when I couldn’t sleep. It was my family or friends texting me just to check in. It was picking up the grandkids from school and hanging on to them like they were my life raft.

Gratitude didn’t fix my MS. But it shifted my focus just enough to remind me: I am more than this diagnosis. My life, even with MS, still holds beauty.

How I Practice Gratitude (Even on the Bad Days)

• I try to live in the moment and honour what my body is telling me even especially if I don’t want to.
• I think about what I accomplished in a day, even if it’s as simple as “I made it through today without losing my ever loving %$it ”. I can always find something to be grateful for.
• I look for “moments,” not miracles — like when I laughed at a meme or got a hug from my husband, kids, grandkids or my friends.
• I allow myself to grieve and be grateful at the same time — they’re not enemies. And yes, I still grieve for what I have lost having this disease but even on my bad days, what I have gained still outweighs what I have lost.  It’s the perspective with which I choose to look at it.

What It’s Given Me

Gratitude hasn’t erased the hard things, but it’s helped me carry them differently. It’s softened my anger. Given me breath on the hardest days. It reminded me that life, even with illness, is still mine — and it’s still full of little gifts if I’m willing to look for and accept them.

If You’re Struggling Right Now…

Be gentle with yourself. Gratitude doesn’t have to be big, loud or poetic. Try starting with something real: “I’m grateful I’m here. I’m grateful I’m trying.”

Try this tonight:

👉 What’s one thing today that didn’t suck?

That’s enough of a start.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Your story matters — even on the days it hurts.

And, if you are looking for a quick and easy dinner, these Sweet and Sour Meatballs will surely fit the bill!  I’m hoping after you make them, you will have yet another thing to add to your list of things you are grateful for!