By Linda Knudsen

While driving my husband to work this morning, he reflected,

"Today was a good day. I want to be able to get excited about the good things happening to me. But I also want to feel good no matter what my external circumstances might be."

His words stuck with me.

It’s easy to feel good when life is treating us well—when we’re riding the high of good news and everything seems to be falling into place. But the real test of our mindset comes when we hit a low point. That’s when choosing happiness becomes far more difficult—and far more meaningful.

There’s a principle called the Law of Rhythm, and it reminds us that life moves in natural cycles. We experience ups and downs in every part of life—emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually. These rhythms are part of the mortal experience.

So how do we thrive through both the highs and the lows?
One word: Gratitude.

Gratitude is the key to embracing all sides of life’s rhythms. If we want to experience joy—not just when things go well, but regardless of our circumstances—we must learn how to live with gratitude in both the mountaintops and the valleys.

Too often, we walk through life on tiptoe, trying to avoid anything painful. We’re scared of failure, hardship, and emotional lows. But the truth is, it's in the low places that gratitude becomes most powerful. It’s when we're forced to slow down that we begin to notice and appreciate the things we may have missed during the high points—like a vibrant sunset, a favorite painting, the relief of ice cream on a hot day, that fresh, clean smell after a summer rainstorm, a sticky kiss from a toddler, a smile from a stranger, or a surprise plate of cookies from a neighbor.

When life is good, it’s easy to be cheerful. But even then, do we remember to be grateful? Do we pause to appreciate the small things, or do we let them pass by unnoticed?

And what about when life is hard? How do we climb out of the pit when we're low?
The answer is the same: Gratitude.

When we practice gratitude—intentionally, consistently, and especially through life’s ups and downs—we begin to find peace. We stop resisting the rhythms of life and start flowing with them. As the Apostle Paul described, we stop "kicking against the pricks" (see Acts 26:14), and begin to trust that even the lows are leading us somewhere meaningful.

I remember a time when this principle was put to the test.

My twins were about 15 months old when we went on a family trip to Disney World with a group of friends. I wanted to enjoy the trip, but with two energetic toddlers in tow, I ended up stuck in the hotel room more often than not, while the older kids were off having fun with their dad and the rest of the group.

One night, I reluctantly agreed to join everyone for dinner at a fancy restaurant inside the park. It should have been a magical evening. But between wrangling six kids, cutting food, spreading condiments, and divvying up portions, I suddenly caught a very distinct smell. And it wasn’t coming from the steak or shrimp.

So off I went, toddler in each arm, leaving my plate behind. I pushed my way through the busy crowd, searching desperately for a bathroom, eyes watering and patience fading. I had just about hit my limit.
I’m at Disney World—and I’m miserable!

That’s when I paused and reached for the principles I’d been taught. I knew I needed to shift my perspective. So I began to list things I could be grateful for.

"I’m so grateful for clean disposable diapers... paper towels... warm running water... plastic bags to hold the poopy clothes—and thank goodness for washing machines and dryers!"

"I’m grateful for this stroller that helps me manage two healthy, happy boys. And I’m grateful for this family I love so much."

And just like that—everything changed.

The moment I began to recognize my blessings, my heart lightened. I went from overwhelmed and defeated to calm and joyful—in the twinkle of a thought.

As I walked out of the bathroom, to my complete surprise, music filled the plaza. There was a dance competition happening right there, and my husband had just been chosen as one of the contestants. The beat pulsed through the air, and suddenly we were all laughing, dancing, and soaking in one of the most magical moments of the whole trip. We had the time of our lives.

So what do you do when you find yourself at a low point?
When you're discouraged, frustrated, or feeling stuck?

You look for the blessings.
You search for gratitude.
And when you find it—even just one tiny thing—you’ll feel the shift.

Gratitude won't always change your circumstances immediately, but it will change you—your energy, your focus, your heart. It will carry you more gently through life’s difficult seasons and help you more fully celebrate the good ones.

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