Grassroots Gratitude Blog

Dear Maya [Shankar], Surely, you know how it goes when writing to a stranger for the first time. It’s an awkward moment of effort, attempting to organize thoughts, craft an opening, hoping [...]

With thanks to the organizers of Banff’s recent Pints and Poetry night, hosted by Heather-Jean Jordan, Banff’s current Poet Laureate. Heather-Jean is a multi-talented musician, [...]

It’s Easter weekend, and I have my hands plunged into warm soapy dishwater, staring out my kitchen window. A week ago, the bird bath fell over and that’s the centrepiece of my sad and [...]

In the summer 2021, as I was finishing the writing of my book, An Ecology of Gratitude: Writing your way to what matters, my editor suggested that I add an opening quote. I asked Clinical [...]

  Over the past five years, a small group of local change-makers have been imagining a shift in our local culture. The shift we are imagining is an acceptance of the fact that we need to [...]

In this guide, I invite you to write longhand, with a paper and pen, in a private, comfortable, calm space. This mode of writing is the best approach to gratitude and its many complexities, as [...]

Communities grounded in gratitude are often more resilient, better equipped to handle collective challenges like economic strain or social division. This isn’t just speculation—studies show that [...]

Do you remember the Maclean’s image on the front cover of July 2019? I sure do… and I use it as the perfect image demonstrating “a kinder kind of leadership”, Grassroots [...]

Dear Everyday Leaders in Canada and around the World, It’s July 2025 and once again, I feel a surge of my red and white grateful love for this country. Yes, there are regrets and [...]

Leadership. Where do you find it? Whose style do you admire? What does “a kinder kind of leadership” mean? April 17, 2025… time to write myself a letter Hello, Dear Friend. You [...]