Widows are grieving, they are often focusing on their past, on what has gone wrong and what they don’t have.  To tell a widow, “one must be grateful” seems unkind in the face of their pain. Sadly, some widows do not know how to be grateful; they were not grateful in their youth, in their married life and certainty not in their life as a widow. What we need to understand is that if we are grateful for what we have, than others will be willing to provide assistance.  It also empowers us to return every favor that has been bestowed upon us. I believe that gratitude is the best medicine for hatred and jealousy.  It will change our disposition and bring us some peace and harmony.  It is easy for us to establish a grateful image when things are favorable and much harder when faced with grief and the difficulties of our new life. I acknowledge that being grateful isn’t easy, but it’s when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you.  Gratitude can give you a perspective of positive energy, even if you are not yet there. I often talk about keeping a journal so you can look back in five years and see how far you have come.  I suggest that you make part of your journal into a “gratitude journal” by writing down three things you are grateful for every day.  Go through your day looking for things to be grateful for, and there is always something to be grateful for. I believe that by appreciating whatever shows up in your life, you will radiate and generate more goodness for yourself.  Make time for a little gratitude every day and you will be amazed by the healing results.