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Archives for November 2025

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The Gratitude Award for That One Friend Who Became More Than Family

There are friends… and then there are friends who walk into your life and somehow become your entire support system without you even noticing when it happened. We meet so many people throughout our lifetime, but only a few leave a mark deep enough that we start seeing them as more than “just friends.” They become our comfort zone, our safe place, our constant source of support. And if you’ve ever experienced a friendship like that, you already know how rare and special it is.

As adults, especially those living far away from family, friendships take on a completely different meaning. When life shifts, when we move countries, when we step into new chapters, and when the usual family support isn’t physically around, it’s these friends who step in. These friends become the people we call in the middle of the night. They become the ones who show up during emergencies. They become the family we choose. And honestly, sometimes they do more for us than anyone else ever did.

So today, I want to talk about that friend—the one who deserves the Gratitude Award more than anyone.

The Friend Who Became Home When Family Was Far Away

Let’s be real. Living far from family is not easy. The homesickness, the overwhelming days, the unexpected problems—everything feels heavier because you know you can’t just run back home. And this is where a special friend enters your life like a blessing you didn’t even know you needed.

You know the type I’m talking about. The friend who checks on you when you disappear for a day. The friend who shows up with food when life feels unbearable. The friend who sits with you in silence when your mind is too loud. The friend who steps into the role of a sister or brother without being asked.

Some friendships feel like destiny. You can be from different backgrounds, different cultures, different worlds even, but that connection is something real. They don’t need to be blood-related to hold a place in your heart the way family does.

These are the friends who make your life away from home feel less lonely and more like a new beginning.

The Friend Who Stays Through the Hardest Moments

Everyone loves you when life is easy, but it’s the people who stay when things fall apart who truly count.

Think about the times you were in your lowest place, the moments when everything felt like it was falling apart. When work was stressing you, finances were tight, or life had thrown you into a situation you never expected. Who stood beside you?

Maybe you had a friend who stayed on the phone with you for hours. A friend who drove across the city just to make sure you weren’t alone. A friend who helped you during your debt, your losses, your struggles, your fears. A friend who showed up at the hospital when you needed support. A friend who fought your battles with you, or at least held your hand while you fought them.

These friends are rare. They’re the kind of people we don’t get often in life. And sometimes we don’t even realise how valuable they are until we look back and think, “I survived that because of them.”

The Friend Who Celebrates Your Wins Like They’re Their Own

A true friend doesn’t get jealous. They don’t compete with you. They don’t try to overshadow your achievements. Instead, they hype you up. They celebrate your progress like it’s their own success. They get happy for you even when your own family may not fully understand what you’re going through.

Think about a moment when something good happened in your life. Maybe it was a new job, a milestone, a dream finally coming true. Who was the first person you told? The happiness in their reaction speaks louder than any words.

A real friend wants to see you win. And that kind of love is something even family members sometimes struggle to give.

The Friend Who Makes Life Feel Lighter and Happier

Some people bring drama, stress, and chaos. But some rare friends bring peace. They make life feel lighter. You laugh around them in a way you don’t laugh with anyone else. They understand your personality, your humor, your moods, your silence, your chaos, and your gentle moments too.

With them, you feel seen. You feel understood. You feel heard.

Friendships like these are not ordinary. They’re blessings. And if you have one of these friends, you know exactly what I mean.

Why This Friend Deserves the Gratitude Award

Think about everything this friend has done for you. The support. The comfort. The emotional labor. The help. The laughter. The healing. The presence. The loyalty. The way they stood beside you when others walked away. The way they cared for you without expecting anything in return.

Isn’t that worth celebrating?

The Gratitude Award is the perfect way to honour such a friend. It’s more than a gift—it’s a recognition. It’s a moment. It’s a way of saying, “You’ve been my strength, my family, my safe place, and I don’t ever want you to think that your kindness went unnoticed.”

Giving someone the Gratitude Award is like giving them a piece of your heart. It’s something they will remember for years, something they’ll keep in their home, something that reminds them how much their friendship means.

A Question for You…

Let me ask you something straight from the heart.

Do you have a friend like this?

Someone who stayed during your hardest days.
 Someone who supported you when you were struggling financially or emotionally.
 Someone who visited you in the hospital.
 Someone who made you feel like you weren’t alone in this world.
 Someone who celebrates your happiness as if it’s their own.
 Someone who stepped in when your family was far away.

If a name popped into your mind just now, then that is exactly the person who deserves the Gratitude Award.

Don’t wait for a perfect moment. Don’t assume they already know. Show them. Appreciate them. Celebrate them.

Because friends like these are not just friends.
They are the family we choose.
They are blessings we don’t get twice.

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To the Grandparents Whose Love Feels Like Home

There are memories that sit quietly inside us, waiting for the right moment to rise. They don’t rush. They don’t shout. They simply return with a warmth that feels like the softest touch on the heart. Whenever I think about my grandparents, that is what I feel. A gentle warmth. A sense of safety. A feeling that I belonged somewhere in the purest way.

Let me ask you something before we go further.
When you think of your grandparents, what is the first thing that comes to your heart?
A voice? A smell? A room? A smile?
Or maybe a moment — one single memory that still feels alive even after all these years?

For me, it all begins in my grandma’s kitchen.

Grandma’s Kitchen — The Heart of My Childhood

My grandma’s kitchen was the softest corner of my childhood. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t modern. But it was warm. It was safe. It was love in its simplest form.

She cooked slowly, gently, like she was caring for the food the same way she cared for us. She didn’t need recipes. She had instinct and heart. She always knew what I needed before I even said it. She would place a plate in front of me and say softly, “Eat a little more, you look tired.” And every time, without fail, I felt comforted.

Do you remember someone who knew what you needed without asking?
Someone who offered comfort before you even realized you needed it?

Her kitchen wasn’t just where she cooked.
It was where my worries disappeared.
Where I felt seen without having to speak.
Where life felt gentle.

Grandpa’s Stories — A World of Wisdom in Simple Words

While Grandma gave warmth, Grandpa gave guidance. Not through lectures. Not through pressure. But through stories.

He told stories in a slow, thoughtful way, as if every word had weight. He talked about old times, lessons he had learned, people he had met. Even a simple walk with him felt meaningful. His hand in mine, his voice steady beside me — those moments felt like the world had paused just for us.

Grandpa walked slowly, but everything with him felt deep. He noticed things others rushed past. He appreciated small joys. He taught without saying, “I am teaching you.” And somehow, I learned more from him in silence than I ever did from books.

There is a quote I once read that felt like it was written for him:
“Grandparents make the world a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer.”

I understand it now in a way I couldn’t back then.

When Mom Dropped Me Off — And I Felt Immediately at Home

There were days when Mom had to run errands or go somewhere important, and she would drop me at my grandparents’ home. Even now, I remember the way the door opened. Grandma’s smile. Grandpa’s gentle welcome. The way their eyes lit up as if my arrival was a blessing.

They never made me feel like a responsibility.
Never made me feel like a burden.
Never made me feel like I was “just a child.”
I was someone they were happy to see. Someone they loved deeply.

Do you remember feeling that kind of welcome?
The kind that wraps around you instantly?

Those moments stay forever.

The Folded Money — A Quiet Gesture Filled With Love

There is one memory I hold especially close.
The one where Grandma would quietly slip folded money into my hand.

She always checked if anyone was watching. Then she would gently place it in my palm, fold my fingers over it, and whisper, “This is for you. Keep it.”

It wasn’t about the money.
It was the tenderness.
The intention.
The way she wanted to give, even when she had little.
The way she wanted me to feel cared for.

Do you have a memory like that — a small gesture that meant more than anything?

Those little acts of love… they stay with us longer than we ever expect.

Understanding Their Love More Deeply Now

As children, we simply feel love. We don’t question it or try to understand it — we just receive it with open hearts. But growing up changes everything. Suddenly, their love looks different. Larger. Deeper.

Now, as I grow older, I can finally feel what they carried for us… the sacrifices behind their kindness, the patience woven into their smiles, the prayers whispered for us when no one was watching, and the silent strength they held for the entire family.

I see now how they protected us not only from trouble, but from worry itself. Grandpa’s stories were not just stories; they were lessons wrapped in memories. 

Grandma’s meals were never just food; they were comfort, care, and healing. Their home was not simply a place. 

It was safety. It was love. It was home in its truest form.

Psychologists say that children who grow up with involved grandparents often develop stronger emotional security and I believe that with all my heart. Because even now, in every stage of my life, I carry their love in everything I do.

They Deserve To Be Honored 

If you have someone in your life whose love shaped you, they deserve to be honored in a way that truly reflects the depth of your gratitude.

The Gratitude Award® was created for people like them — the ones who gave us love without conditions. The ones who lifted us, taught us, protected us, and helped us grow. The ones whose impact follows us throughout life.

When you gift a Gratitude Award® to your grandparents, it becomes more than a certificate.
It becomes a moment.
A memory.
A gift of the heart.

Imagine their hands trembling slightly as they open it.
Imagine the tears that gather in their eyes when they realize you truly saw their efforts, their sacrifices, their love.
Imagine the joy in their heart when they understand you appreciate them — not just in silence, but openly, fully, sincerely.

Do it today.
Do it while their hands can still hold it.
Do it before memories become stories, and stories become silence.
Before we look back wishing we had said more, done more, honored more.

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Give them the love they gave you — reflected back with sincerity and gratitude.

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This Christmas, Let’s Spread Love, Light, and Gratitude

The holiday season is finally here, the sparkling lights, cozy nights, warm homes, soft music, and that magical feeling we all wait for every year. Christmas has always been more than celebrations; it’s a gentle reminder of kindness, warmth, and togetherness. And honestly, in a world where everyone is rushing, worrying, or healing from something, this holiday season feels like the perfect time to spread a little extra love.

This year, instead of thinking about the usual gifts, what if we focused on something deeper? Something more meaningful? Something that touches the heart and lasts far beyond Christmas Day?

This season, let’s make gratitude the biggest gift we give.

Because no matter what kind of year we have had, there is always someone, somewhere who helped shape us into who we are today. And Christmas is the perfect moment to honor them.

Christmas Is Really About People and the Moments That Matter

The more I think about it, the more I realise Christmas has nothing to do with the big fancy gifts. It is honestly about the tiny moments that hit us in the feels. You know what I mean, right? The laughs that go on way too long. The cozy nights under blankets. The silly photos. The unexpected deep conversations at 2 AM. These are the things we remember. Not how many presents were under the tree.

Think about your year for a second. Who made it better? Who checked on you when you didn’t even ask? Who listened when you were mentally done? Who made you smile on a day you were ready to give up? And here is my favourite question… who is the person you secretly admire because their kindness, strength, or personality inspires you without them even knowing? We all have at least one person like that.

This is the moment when Christmas becomes more meaningful. Because the holidays are not about “stuff,” they are about celebrating the people who filled your year with warmth, comfort, support, and good energy.

This Year’s Most Meaningful Gift The Gratitude Award

Let me tell you something honestly. If you want to give a Christmas gift that will stay in someone’s heart for years, go for the Gratitude Award. I am not even exaggerating. This is one gift that never gets thrown away, never gets forgotten, and never fails to make someone emotional in the best way.

Imagine gifting an award that says, “Hey, you made a difference in my life.” How many people actually hear that? Not enough. Not nearly enough.

And listen, the Gratitude Award is perfect for anyone. Your mom, your dad, your sister, your cousin, your bestie, your favourite coworker, your mentor, your neighbour who always checks on you, literally anyone who helped shape your year. You can even give it to that one person you think is absolutely goals because their energy inspires you. Why not? Give people their flowers while they can still smell them.

What I love most about this award is that it is not just a physical item. It is a moment. A message. A memory. And honestly, we all need a little emotional boost during the holidays. The world feels heavy enough, so if there’s something that can bring joy, warmth, and connection, then why not do it?

Plus, here is my personal opinion… thoughtful gifts hit differently. And this award is as thoughtful as it gets.

Let’s Make This Festive Season About Love, Positivity, and Real Connections

Every December, I find myself reflecting. Maybe you do it too. Something about the holiday season makes us look back at who was there for us, who motivated us, who made us think differently, who helped us grow. And if someone popped into your mind just now, that is not random. That’s your heart nudging you.

Christmas is the best time to express gratitude. No awkwardness, no overthinking, no waiting for the “right moment.” The vibes are already soft and warm, so it becomes easier to reach out and say, “Thank you for being in my life.”

And here’s the beautiful part. Showing gratitude doesn’t just make them happy. It lifts you too. There is a light feeling in your chest when you appreciate someone. It brings emotional clarity. It makes you realise how lucky you are to have certain people in your life.

If you’re thinking, “But what if I want to appreciate more than one person?” then go for it. Gratitude has no limit. You are allowed to spread love everywhere like confetti. Give the Gratitude Award to everyone who brought value to your year. Trust me, it will make you feel like the holiday version of Santa but with emotional gifts instead of cookies.

Also, let’s be real… in a world full of quick texts and casual likes, a heartfelt gesture stands out more than ever. People don’t expect it, and that’s exactly why the award hits them right in the heart.

Let Gratitude Be the Heart of This Christmas

Imagine someone opening your gift, expecting something typical, and instead finding a Gratitude Award with their name on it. For a moment, everything stops. Their face softens. Their eyes shine a little. And they realise, “Wow… I actually made a difference in someone’s life.” That feeling stays with them far longer than any ordinary gift ever could.

This Christmas, let’s do things differently. Let’s choose gifts that create connection, not clutter. Let’s appreciate the people who shaped us, inspired us, supported us, and simply made our days better. Let’s honour the people who helped us become who we are today.

Give them the Gratitude Award this Christmas. Give them a moment of recognition they will remember forever. Give them love in its most genuine form. And most importantly, give thanks for the beautiful people who bring colour to your life.

Wrap it with love.
Hand it with warmth.
Let it be the moment they never forget.

And if more than one person deserves it?
Even better — spread gratitude generously this festive season.
Make this Christmas the one where love and appreciation take the spotlight.

Because the best gifts aren’t the ones we buy…
They’re the ones we feel.

So tell me… who is the first person you thought of? And will you give them the Gratitude Award this year?

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Why Gratitude Can Heal Relationships Even Broken Ones

Life has a way of surprising us. One day we are close to someone, talking freely, sharing moments, laughing without thinking twice. And then, without even realising when or how, something shifts. A misunderstanding happens. A small comment gets taken the wrong way. A third person influences our thoughts. Doubt takes over. Pride steps in. And before we know it, a gap forms where warmth once lived.

We never plan for relationships to break, but sometimes they do — slowly, quietly, unintentionally. The good news is that something as simple and sincere as gratitude can begin to repair what went wrong. Gratitude does not erase the past. It helps us see it differently. It softens the weight, clears the confusion, and opens the heart again.

How Misunderstandings Begin Without Us Realising

Misunderstandings often appear out of nowhere. Sometimes they come from our own stress or overthinking. But many times, they happen because of a third person — someone who plants doubts, feeds negativity, or influences us at the wrong moment. We start thinking from their point of view instead of our own. We take their words as facts. We forget our history with the person we love. We overlook the sacrifices, the care, and the small things they did with pure intentions.

It could be anyone: a parent, a sibling, a cousin, a friend, an aunt, an uncle, even a partner. Someone who always cared for us ends up misunderstood because we let someone else’s voice speak louder than their actions. Before we even understand the damage, distance grows. Not the dramatic kind  but the quiet emotional kind where the closeness simply fades.

Life Has a Way of Teaching Us the Truth Later

The truth does not always hit us immediately. Life takes us through different experiences first. Maybe we move away. Maybe we grow older. Maybe we face challenges alone. Maybe we raise a family and suddenly understand sacrifices in a new way. Maybe we go through stress that changes our entire perspective.

And then one day, it hits us.


We look back and think, “What was I thinking? Why did I let someone else influence me? Why did I distance myself from someone who only meant well?”


The regret feels heavy because the good memories return — the kindness, the softness, the patience, the quiet ways they showed love even when tired or stressed. All the things they did without expecting anything in return.

Sometimes the person we misunderstood was not weak — they were simply too gentle for a world that does not value softness.

Gratitude Helps Us See the Whole Story Again

When we focus on the negative, we only remember the one moment that hurt us, but gratitude pulls us out of that narrow space and reminds us of the full picture. It gently says, “Yes, something went wrong, but look at everything that went right before that.” It helps us remember what that person truly meant to us, the warmth that existed before the coldness, and allows us to see them as a whole human being rather than one moment or mistake. Gratitude makes us honest with ourselves, replacing pride with understanding and anger with clarity, and slowly something inside us begins to soften again.

Why Gratitude Helps Us Forgive Without Losing Ourselves

Forgiveness is hard when we focus only on the hurt. Gratitude shifts the focus toward the good that existed before the hurt. It does not deny the pain; it simply puts it into perspective. Gratitude quietly reminds us, “This person cared for you… this person tried… this person showed love in ways you may have forgotten.”

Forgiveness becomes easier when we see the whole relationship instead of one moment. It does not mean we ignore boundaries; it simply means we let go of the emotions that keep us stuck.

Gratitude Makes It Easier to Talk Again

Distance often grows because communication stops. We don’t know what to say, we don’t know where to start, and we replay the conflict in our mind instead of reaching out.

Gratitude is a gentle way to break the silence.
A simple message like, “I was thinking about everything you did for me. Thank you,” can open a door. It does not reopen the argument or trigger defenses. It simply makes the other person feel seen, valued, and safe to talk again. Even one small step can rebuild a bridge that once felt impossible to cross.

It’s Not Too Late to Heal What Was Broken

I am sure that while reading this, someone’s name or face came to your mind. Nobody is perfect, and all of us have had moments where misunderstandings, outside influence, or our own pride created distance with someone who truly cared for us.

Maybe now you realise how genuine they were, how much they did for you, and how unfairly they were judged. You may have carried that quiet weight for years, thinking of them in lonely moments and wishing you could go back and appreciate them the way they deserved.

Please do not wait any longer. If your heart is reminding you of someone right now, tell them how much they meant to you. Show them gratitude before the moment passes. A simple gesture like sending them the Gratitude Award can express what words cannot and may heal a distance that has been hurting both of you for far too long.

And if you feel comfortable, tell us in the comments — who is that person your heart thought of first?

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A Mother’s Wings Change, But Her Strength Grows

There is something bittersweet and beautiful that happens when a woman becomes a mother.


A free bird who once soared without limits suddenly feels her wings shift.

She can no longer fly as high or as freely as she once dreamed. She may pause her own goals, her ambitions, her adventures. Not because she is weak. Not because she gave up.
But because she now carries a life inside her heart.

When we become mothers, our entire world rearranges itself. Every thought, every plan, every fear, every hope becomes tied to this tiny life long before they ever take their first breath. The moment we see those two pink lines, something changes inside us. Our focus shifts. Our priorities move. Our hearts expand in ways we never imagined.

The journey that follows is not easy.
It is nine months of courage wrapped in love.

Those sleepless nights.
Those waves of nausea that come without warning.
The unusual hunger.
The unusual cravings.
The sudden exhaustion that makes even walking feel heavy.
The bed rest.
The fear before every scan.
The hope after every heartbeat.
The prayers whispered in the quiet moments.

A mother carries all of this silently.
She endures every discomfort and every sacrifice because she is building a home inside her own body.

Her Emotional Strength Is Unmatched

Motherhood brings emotions she never knew existed. When a woman becomes a mom for the first time, everything feels new, unfamiliar, and honestly a little scary. She suddenly finds herself staying awake at night, not because the baby refuses to sleep, but because she just wants to make sure those tiny breaths keep coming. She checks, double-checks, and sometimes stares for way too long  but that is what new moms do.

Diapers become a whole journey of their own. She learns how to wrap them, gets confused, fixes them again, deals with leaks at the worst moments, and laughs at herself in the middle of the chaos. Every little thing is a first for her too, and she learns it all by doing, failing, trying again, and improving.

And then there is the emotional side the instant connection. When her baby cries, her heart breaks a little. When the baby smiles, her world feels bright again. She can go from tired to joyful in a split second just because her newborn blinked in a cute way. That is how deeply connected a mother’s love is from day one.

She worries about everything  “Is the baby warm enough?” “Is the baby sleeping enough?” “Did I burp the baby properly?”
Every small thing becomes a big thought in her mind, not out of fear but out of love.

Yet through all the sleepless nights, all the second-guessing, and all the endless learning, she keeps going. She finds strength she did not even know she had. She sacrifices her comfort, her sleep, and sometimes even her identity to make sure her little one feels safe, loved, and protected.

Her emotional strength is not loud. It is not dramatic. It shows in the quiet moments, the tired smiles, the gentle rocking at 3 a.m., and the patience she somehow finds even after a long, draining day.

It is a strength that often goes unnoticed.
But it deserves to be seen.
It deserves to be honored.
It deserves gratitude.

Why The Gratitude Award Matters

Most new moms never ask for recognition. They give endlessly without expecting anything in return. But that does not mean they do not need love, appreciation, or acknowledgment. A simple thank you, a small gesture, or a heartfelt award can bring comfort to her heart.

This is why the Gratitude Award is so meaningful. It is not just a physical gift. It is a message. It says:
“I see your effort. I see your love. I see your sacrifices. And they matter.”

Every new mom needs to hear that she is valued.
Every new mom deserves to feel appreciated.
Every new mom should know she is doing an incredible job.

This Gratitude Award goes to you, mama.

Who Are We?

Gratitude Award® is an organization that provides goods and services with the aim of fostering human dignity in personal relationships and in the workplace.

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Our Vision:

The vision of Gratitude Award® is for the world to share in our belief that there is a common thread of humanity that connects us all, the basic human power to both sympathize and empathize, and the powerful ability to forgive.

Our Mission Statement:

The mission of Gratitude Award® is to promote, reinforce, and celebrate the practice of human dignity in personal relationships and in the production and delivery of goods and services for human and organizational consumption.

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