I get home from school, set my backpack down, immediately find my favorite spot on the couch, and open up Instagram Reels. I’m running on roughly five hours of sleep and somehow, my social battery has reached a negative percentage. So, based on my current state, I obviously decide that doomscrolling is my best option.
In the midst of my scrolling, my mom walks over and sits beside me. She asks, “How was your day?” to which I reply the same way I always do, “It was fine.” But “fine” doesn’t even begin to capture the joy I felt while talking to my friends during lunch, finally beginning to understand the topic I’ve been struggling with in math, or my advisor helping me navigate AET.
Instead of taking time to be grateful for these small moments, I brushed them aside like it was no big deal. The truth is, these moments shaped the course of my day. They reminded me that I have people who support me and allowed me to keep a smile on my face, even when met with struggles. If I would have taken time to reflect on these experiences when answering my mom’s question, not only would I have been more joyful, but I would have been able to share that joy with her as well.
When we approach situations with gratitude, we pay more attention to the good things and less to the not-so-good. This makes it easy to find joy in the moment, approach every situation with a smile, and appreciate the growth that results from challenges. Not only can we better live with intention, but we can pour into those around us, all because of the simple practice of gratitude.
Earlier this month, at CDE days, I was reminded of the importance of practicing gratitude by the members of Oregon FFA. During these events, there were times when things didn’t always go the way we hoped.
Maybe someone didn’t get the banner they were hoping for.
Maybe someone didn’t feel confident after presenting their oral reasons.
Maybe someone was just there because their advisor signed them up without any prior experience.
One of the best parts about FFA members is that they are able to see the positive, even when faced with situations that are less than desired. I saw this at CDE days too.
Team meetings and pep talks.
Laughter and conversations with new friends.
Teams that were passionate and tried their best, which is ultimately all that matters.
Even small moments like these can help us practice gratitude in our daily lives. When we stop, take a step back, and intentionally think about what made us smile throughout the day, it serves as a powerful reminder that each moment is a gift. If we don’t take a second to stop and cherish these gifts from time to time, they’re going to pass us by and we will miss out on the joy we could be experiencing.
Gratitude can be life changing. But the best part? It only takes a few seconds! So I encourage you, the next time someone asks, “How was your day?” to answer authentically. Take a moment to reflect and remember that this life, no matter where you’re at, is a gift.
With gratitude,
Braelyn Marino
2026-2027 Oregon FFA State Vice President
