--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...Grateful living makes life meaningful…" description: "\"...Grateful living makes life meaningful and full of joy.\" — David Steindl-Rast" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/david-steindl-rast-9835_grateful_grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-an_2940750.png" --- # ...Grateful living makes life meaningful and full of joy. ![“...Grateful living makes life meaningful and full of joy.” quote by David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/david-steindl-rast-9835_grateful_grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-an_2940750.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/david-steindl-rast-9835_grateful_grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-an_2940750.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/david-steindl-rast-9835_grateful_grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-an_2940750.png) > “...Grateful living makes life meaningful and full of joy.” [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living gratefully gives life meaning and joy, turning everyday moments into blessings. **In simple terms:** Gratitude adds meaning and joy. Key Takeaway Practice daily gratitude. Themes gratitude meaning joy Mood warm hopeful Type spiritual practical When to use this quote - well‑being - relationships - community service Key Concepts positive psychology spiritual practice Questions to Reflect On - What simple gratitude practice works for you? - How does gratitude shift your perspective? A Different Perspective Gratitude can feel forced if insincere. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Meaning of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning-of-life/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Meaningful life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful-life/) ## Related quotes > [The truth is, if what we choose to do with our lives won't make a story meaningful, it won't make a life meaningful either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/the-truth-is-if-what-we-choose-to-do-with-our-lives-won-t-make-a/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [I think it's innate in human nature to want to make a difference, to make your life meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-marx-hubbard/i-think-it-s-innate-in-human-nature-to-want-to-make-a-difference-to/) [Barbara Marx Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-marx-hubbard/) > [You just decide what your values are in life and what you are going to do, and then you feel like you count, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-lennox/you-just-decide-what-your-values-are-in-life-and-what-you-are-going/) [Annie Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-lennox/) > [You can use your life in a very useful and intelligent way. You can very well transform that negative energy into a positive energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/you-can-use-your-life-in-a-very-useful-and-intelligent-way-you-can/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [It is this spiritual freedom - which cannot be taken away - that makes life meaningful and purposeful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/it-is-this-spiritual-freedom-which-cannot-be-taken-away-that-makes/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [I think everyone is always asking themselves, How is my work meaningful, how is my life meaningful? As I get older, I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-think-everyone-is-always-asking-themselves-how-is-my-work/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [Life is difficult. Not just for me or other ALS patients. Life is difficult for everyone. Finding ways to make life meaningful and purposeful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-gleason/life-is-difficult-not-just-for-me-or-other-als-patients-life-is/) [Steve Gleason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-gleason/) > [...One can learn to focus on 'opportunity' as the gift within every given moment. This attitude towards life always improves the situation. Even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/one-can-learn-to-focus-on-opportunity-as-the-gift-within-every-given/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [There is no closer bond than the one that gratefulness celebrates, the bond between giver and thanksgiver. Everything is a gift. Grateful living is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/there-is-no-closer-bond-than-the-one-that-gratefulness-celebrates-the/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [It is the acquisition of skills in particular, irrespective of their utility, that is potent in making life meaningful. Since man has no inborn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/it-is-the-acquisition-of-skills-in-particular-irrespective-of-their/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Compassion is one of the principal things that make our lives meaningful. It is the source of all lasting happiness and joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/compassion-is-one-of-the-principal-things-that-make-our-lives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Relationships keep us alive and our lives meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/relationships-keep-us-alive-and-our-lives-meaningful/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [Life does not wait: Whether we spend our lives meaningfully or not, the time will be used up moment by moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/life-does-not-wait-whether-we-spend-our-lives-meaningfully-or-not-the/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Dreams burst like bubbles in the wind. But change takes time.When people fall in love and lose the overwhelming desire for it to last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-fredriksson/dreams-burst-like-bubbles-in-the-wind-but-change-takes-time-when/) [Marianne Fredriksson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-fredriksson/) > [The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-ultimate-measure-of-a-man-is-not-where-he-stands-in-moments-of-2/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) ## More by David Steindl-Rast > [Home and journey together constitute the creative polarity of the heart, the two dimensions we must cultivate if we want to 'develop the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/home-and-journey-together-constitute-the-creative-polarity-of-the/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Only gratefulness, in the form of limitless openness for surprise, lays hold of the fullness of life in hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/only-gratefulness-in-the-form-of-limitless-openness-for-surprise-lays/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [As I express my gratitude, I become more deeply aware of it. And the greater my awareness, the greater my need to express it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/as-i-express-my-gratitude-i-become-more-deeply-aware-of-it-and-the/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Gratefulness makes us aware of the gift and makes us happy. As long as we take things for granted they don't make us happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/gratefulness-makes-us-aware-of-the-gift-and-makes-us-happy-as-long-as/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Any change in attitude changes the way one sees the world, and this in turn changes the way one acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/any-change-in-attitude-changes-the-way-one-sees-the-world-and-this-in/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [If you learn to respond as if it’s the first day in your life and the very last day, then you will have spent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/if-you-learn-to-respond-as-if-it-s-the-first-day-in-your-life-and-the/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [We have thousands of opportunities every day to be grateful: for having good weather, to have slept well last night, to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/we-have-thousands-of-opportunities-every-day-to-be-grateful-for/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [The universe is gratis. It cannot be earned, nor need it be earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/the-universe-is-gratis-it-cannot-be-earned-nor-need-it-be-earned/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [...our happiness hinges not on good luck; it hinges on peace of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/our-happiness-hinges-not-on-good-luck-it-hinges-on-peace-of-heart/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [From experience we know that whenever we are truly awake and alive, we are also truly grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/from-experience-we-know-that-whenever-we-are-truly-awake-and-alive-we/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Blessing is the lifeblood throbbing through the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/blessing-is-the-lifeblood-throbbing-through-the-universe/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Beauty seen makes the one who sees it more beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/beauty-seen-makes-the-one-who-sees-it-more-beautiful/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [Each one of us is called to become that great song that comes out of the silence, and the more we let ourselves down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/each-one-of-us-is-called-to-become-that-great-song-that-comes-out-of/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [In moments of surprise we catch at least a glimpse of the joy to which gratefulness opens the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/in-moments-of-surprise-we-catch-at-least-a-glimpse-of-the-joy-to/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) > [...One can learn to focus on 'opportunity' as the gift within every given moment. This attitude towards life always improves the situation. Even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/one-can-learn-to-focus-on-opportunity-as-the-gift-within-every-given/) [David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) [Explore all 70 David Steindl-Rast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/) ## More Grateful quotes > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Obviously I'm very grateful 'Bad Guy' is doing so well - it's shocking and surprising and gratifying - but I do think it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/obviously-i-m-very-grateful-bad-guy-is-doing-so-well-it-s-shocking/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dear-god-i-trust-that-no-matter-what-happens-in-my-life-it-is-for-my/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Our nation's promise to have veterans' backs must extend to their families, who for their own service and sacrifices, deserve the full support of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-kim/our-nation-s-promise-to-have-veterans-backs-must-extend-to-their/) [Andy Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-kim/) > [“I'm grateful you entrusted me with them. But the day will come when someone will knock the sails out of you. She'll shatter every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senayda-pierre/i-m-grateful-you-entrusted-me-with-them-but-the-day-will-come-when/) [Senayda Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senayda-pierre/) > [Cooking brings me so much joy. I love everything, down to the execution of the plate to picking out fresh ingredients at the market.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/cooking-brings-me-so-much-joy-i-love-everything-down-to-the-execution/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [I'm just grateful to people who are willing to admit how bad things feel for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-furman/i-m-just-grateful-to-people-who-are-willing-to-admit-how-bad-things/) [Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-furman/) > [Together, we must prioritize the wellbeing of those who have selflessly served our nation. This is the least that a grateful nation can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-n-green/together-we-must-prioritize-the-wellbeing-of-those-who-have/) [Al N. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-n-green/) > [I am persuaded that there is no affection of the human heart more exquisitely pure, than that which is felt by a grateful son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/i-am-persuaded-that-there-is-no-affection-of-the-human-heart-more/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [Love your family. Love your country. Never stop learning... And always look back and be grateful to where you came from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gokongwei/love-your-family-love-your-country-never-stop-learning-and-always/) [John Gokongwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gokongwei/) > [I'm grateful to Kroger for investing in our community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/i-m-grateful-to-kroger-for-investing-in-our-community/) [John E. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) [Browse all 4,100 Grateful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "...Grateful living makes life meaningful and full of joy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Steindl-Rast" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-and-full-of-joy/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Grateful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-and-full-of-joy/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/david-steindl-rast-9835_grateful_grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-an_2940750.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/david-steindl-rast-9835_grateful_grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-an_2940750.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/david-steindl-rast-9835_grateful_grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-an_2940750.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...Grateful living makes life meaningful and full of joy.” — David Steindl-Rast", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Steindl-Rast", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "...Grateful living makes life meaningful and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-and-full-of-joy/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/grateful-living-makes-life-meaningful-and-full-of-joy/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```