Harnessing the power of gratitude to acknowledge what’s working

Living with ANCA vasculitis or any chronic disease can feel like an endless uphill climb. The symptoms, doctor appointments, medications, and unexpected flares can take a toll on the body, mind, and spirit. Some days it’s hard to stay hopeful, let alone cheerful. But even in the hardest moments, it’s possible to find small sparks of light.

In our house, we call those “things that make us purr.” Yes, we love our cats, but the idea goes beyond feline happiness. It’s about choosing to see what’s good, even on the hard days.

This isn’t about fake positivity or ignoring the very real challenges that come with vasculitis. We all have different ways to notice the little things that help us feel human, connected, and alive.

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June 21, 2022 Columns by Allison Ross

Reflecting on the Benefits of Gratitude as a Vasculitis Patient

My wife used to be a hospice social worker, and one of her favorite questions to ask patients was, “What’s alive in you today?” The first time she shared that with me, I was blown away. The people she worked with were facing the end of life, and yet that question sparked something powerful. It was a reminder that even in the darkest moments, something is still alive inside of us — some piece of hope, joy, love, or simply presence.

That question — what’s alive in you today? — has become a touchstone for our family. It helps us stop, reflect, and reconnect. When vasculitis feels like it’s taking over everything, this question helps me take something back.

The Gratitude Game

One of our go-to practices when things feel heavy or our stress responses are active is something we call “The Gratitude Game.” It’s simple, research-backed, and surprisingly effective.

We just take a few minutes to name things we’re grateful for. Not big, dramatic things, just small, real, everyday joys, like a warm drink, a soft blanket, a good laugh. Science tells us that gratitude changes our brain chemistry by increasing dopamine and serotonin, the very chemicals that help regulate mood and motivation.

When we play, we go back and forth for three minutes, naming one thing at a time. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s enough to shift the energy in the room — and in ourselves. You don’t need a partner to try it. You can speak it out loud to yourself, or write it down in a journal or on a notes app.

Here’s a glimpse of my gratitude list from today:

• Coffee in bed this morning
• My wife driving me to the bus stop
• Watching our cat Sammie Cooper yawn
• The super soft fur of Muggles Francis, our other cat
• An offer on our house
• My wife working hard to prep for the inspection
• Sunshine
• Reading glasses (because, let’s be honest, I’d be lost without them)
• Air conditioning
• A full night of sleep
• My new treatment
• Reducing my prednisone dosage by ½ mg
• Health insurance
• My primary care doctor
• My rheumatologist
• Family.

I could go on. But what matters isn’t how long the list is — it’s how it makes me feel: lighter, calmer, and more connected to what’s still working in my life.

I won’t pretend that a gratitude list fixes everything. It doesn’t. But it helps create moments of relief that can carry you through the harder parts of the day. And when you start looking for things to be grateful for, you find more than you expected.

If you’re living with vasculitis, chances are you’ve had to become an expert at managing uncertainty and adapting to change. That takes courage and resilience. And while it’s important to acknowledge the hard stuff, it’s equally vital to notice the bright spots — the things that make you purr.

So, if you’re having a rough day, I invite you to pause and ask yourself: What’s alive in me today? What’s something small I can appreciate or enjoy, just for a moment?

You don’t need to wait until everything is perfect to feel a little joy. Even in the middle of treatment, symptoms, or stress, there’s space for warmth, humor, love, and gratitude.

You are more than your diagnosis. You are a whole person, alive and worthy of every good thing life still offers.

Now it’s your turn: What’s on your gratitude list today?

Note: ANCA Vasculitis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of ANCA Vasculitis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to ANCA vasculitis.