"I catch myself sometimes thinking that these three g's — giving, gratitude, and grace — are like extra credit in life. Meaning they're a wonderful bonus once I get through the other stuff: obligations, stress, difficulty, trying to find some way to be happy as the skies seem to be darkening around me. It can be easy to forget, particularly if I'm having a tough time, that those three g's are the pith and center of life, not things to shove to the outskirts of my attention. Giving is always possible, no matter how scarce my resources. Gratitude isn't just an afterthought, it's a forethought (as well as a during thought!) and one that enriches the good times and sustains me through the bad. Grace is a goal and an inspiration, and can be found in everything from the most mundane to the most exciting moments and everywhere in between. There are so many wonderful small ways to put these into practice: as we express our thanks for the gifts we receive, as we dream up the wonderful gifts we can give to others, as we practice the spirit of graceful living in every way we can. More of these three g's will bring the kind of life I want to grab hold of and never let go."