Gratitude

Gratitude can feel kind of out of place in this job. When your day’s full of emergency calls, it’s easy to focus on what went wrong or what almost did. You replay the would haves, should haves, and what ifs. That’s just part of it.

But gratitude isn’t pretending everything’s fine. It’s noticing the good when things get rough.

Being thankful is its own kind of strength. It steadies you when things start to come apart. The mind naturally drifts toward stress and frustration. Gratitude pulls it back to center. When you notice the small stuff, a laugh in the kitchen, getting home safe, a quiet minute after a long night, you remember not everything’s broken.

Gratitude can feel like a luxury in this line of work. There’s always another call, another shift, another problem waiting. But taking a second to be thankful can help you recover. It’s how you fill back up after giving so much.

So here’s something simple to try.

At the end of each shift, say three things you’re thankful for. Out loud.

It might sound strange, but saying it out loud actually helps rewire your mindset. It breaks up those negative loops and helps your brain focus on what’s still good. It might feel awkward at first, but it works.

And don’t overthink it. Those three things don’t have to be deep. Could be a solid meal, a good outcome on a call, or simply that I get to go home to _____. Gratitude’s about noticing the ordinary stuff and remembering life isn’t all weight and worry.

And when someone else shares what they’re thankful for, take the time to really listen. Gratitude grows when it’s shared. The more you notice it in others, the easier it gets to find it yourself.