‘Tis the season for practicing gratitude

According to the National Institutes of Health, initial studies suggest that taking time to feel thankful for the good things in your life could have health benefits. Gratitude may help you cope with stress, and feeling thankful is linked to fewer signs of heart disease.

Judith T. Moskowitz, a psychologist at Northwestern University, studies the impacts of positive emotions on people who have illnesses like advanced cancer, diabetes, HIV, depression, as well as on those caring for others with a serious illness. In some cases, practicing gratitude, meditating, and doing small acts of kindness can increase positive emotions and improve physical and mental health.

Below, we share some words of gratitude from across the Inspire community, including our members and employees.

At Inspire, we’re most grateful for you, our members. Thank you for trusting us on your health journey.

From our members

“First of all I would like to thank Inspire for helping me get through one of the most traumatic experiences of my life! I didn’t know where to begin and this website helped a lot!” Go to post

“I…wanted to thank this entire community – and in particular, Susan – for all the support, encouragement and advice along the way. Reading other’s stories, posting my own comments, questions and experiences and knowing that there are others walking a similar path has been so incredibly helpful.” Go to post

“You all have been such a help to me and were a part of the reason I made it through the past year. I still check in here and try to comment on posts that I feel I can add value to. It is my prayer that everyone finds full life again!” Go to post

“For me, this is my only support group right here and for me it’s been the best! Everything I know about Lupus I have found from the awesome warrior on this Inspire/Lupus page. And over the years… the emotional support has helped me immensely to get through some tough times.” Go to post

From our team

“I’m grateful to work as part of such a great organization and one that I feel is making a positive impact in the world. I am surrounded by incredibly talented, productive, and positive individuals who continue to impress me with their ideas, stories, and empathy. I’m thankful for the amazing moderator team that I interact with everyday and for all of the many other contributors I’ve had the privilege to interact with throughout my time here. Our members come to Inspire because it is a safe and trusted place for support and connection and I’m happy to say that I’ve found the company to be equally as nurturing. So thank you to our members for continuing to support us and reminding us all why it is that we do what we do, and thank you to the employees for making Inspire a place that I’m happy to be. It’s 1000% true that together we’re better!”

“I am grateful for my family. With the passing of my mom almost 7 years ago, and my gram in October, I am so grateful for my dad and sister. I am thankful for my coworkers who supported me during my mom and gram’s illnesses and deaths, and for a company that made it possible for me to take the time I needed during these difficult times. I am so blessed.”

“This holiday season, I’m so grateful for the travel opportunities I got to have in 2022. I finally visited France, making it to Paris and Nice, and had the chance to spend time with so many friends and family across the U.S. I love to travel, and the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into a number of my travel plans over the last 3 years. Truly thankful to have had the chance to ‘hit the road’ again.”

“This year I’m feeling particularly grateful for life’s simple pleasures. A sunny day. A warm latte in bed. Tending to my plants. The joy I find in baking. I’ll never be able to describe the thrill I felt making—and nailing—homemade croissants for the first time.”2