Gratitude: The Bridge to What’s Next

Elena Zanfei
May 3
2 min read

There was a time when I believed I had to wait to feel grateful, hit the next milestone, and have it “figured out " to make life easier.

But life and God had another plan for me: They showed me that gratitude is not a result of things going well. Gratitude is the path that makes things well.

The Energetic Shift of "Thank You"

Spiritually speaking, gratitude is a portal. It opens the channel between us and our Creator, whether you call that God, Source, or the Divine. When we say “thank you,” we activate a field of receptivity. It’s not just politeness, it’s partnership.

Gratitude signals:

I recognize what I’ve been given.
I don’t take it for granted.
I am ready to receive more, from a place of humility and appreciation.

And in that moment, our frequency shifts.

What Gratitude Actually Does

Gratitude grounds us in the present. It brings awareness to what we already have. It dismantles the illusion of scarcity and lack. And most powerfully, it softens our energy so that love, in any form, can find us.

The Practice I Teach My Clients

Gratitude doesn’t always come easily, especially when you’re overwhelmed, struggling, or stretching into growth.

So here’s one practice I always share with clients to make gratitude a bit more natural and automatic: Imagine losing the very thing you’re overlooking.

Look at your computer. What would your life feel like if it were suddenly gone?
Imagine no longer having your phone. No connection. No navigation. No loved ones one tap away.
Picture your life without your washing machine, car, legs, and eyesight.

It’s jarring, right? And instantly… gratitude rushes in.

We don’t need everything to be perfect to feel thankful. We need to remember what life would be like without the things we’ve stopped noticing.

Gratitude is remembering.

Gratitude is presence .

Gratitude is power.

✍Soul Reflection Questions:

What do I take for granted today that would profoundly impact me if it were gone?
What is one thing I can pause and say “thank you” for right now, with my whole heart?
When I don’t express gratitude… what am I unintentionally communicating to the universe?

Practice gratitude daily and watch how your attitude towards life changes with it.

Written by Elena Zanfei | Spiritual Mentor - Empowerment Coach