My advice: Take a second out of the day today and be thankful

In the words of Jenna Morasca, we are given counsel that is both simple and eternal: “My advice: Take a second out of the day today and be thankful for your family.” Though the sentence is brief, its meaning runs deep, like a river flowing from the mountain of human experience. For to be thankful for family is not merely to speak polite words, but to recognize the root of our existence, the circle of care that shapes us, and the bond that endures even when all else fades.

The origin of this wisdom lies in the universal truth that family—whether bound by blood or chosen by heart—is the foundation upon which the individual is built. It is in the embrace of parents, siblings, guardians, and companions that we first learn love, resilience, and identity. To pause and give thanks is to strengthen this foundation, for gratitude renews the ties that time and hardship might fray. Morasca’s words remind us that the act of thankfulness need not be long or elaborate: even a single moment each day is enough to reawaken our awareness of what sustains us.

This teaching has echoed through the ages. Consider the story of Aeneas, hero of Rome’s founding myth. Amid the burning ruins of Troy, he did not flee with riches, nor with weapons, but with his father Anchises upon his back and his son by his side. In honoring his family, he preserved the seed of a nation. His story reveals that family is not a burden, but a treasure; not a chain, but a compass that guides us through devastation into destiny. Gratitude for family is therefore not passive—it is the acknowledgment of the strength that flows from them into us.

Morasca’s advice also teaches the wisdom of mindfulness. “Take a second out of the day,” she says—not an hour, not a lifetime, but a single pause. For gratitude is not measured by length of time, but by the sincerity of the heart. In the rush of modern life, days slip by unnoticed, and the presence of family becomes assumed rather than cherished. To consciously stop, even briefly, is to break this cycle of forgetfulness and to place honor where it belongs.

There is also a subtle reminder of impermanence in her words. Family is not guaranteed forever. Lives are fragile, time moves swiftly, and the people who shape our days may one day no longer walk beside us. To be thankful now is to avoid the sorrow of unspoken gratitude later. History is filled with tales of kings and commoners alike who mourned not only the loss of loved ones but the silence of thanks they never expressed. Morasca’s wisdom shields us from such regret.

The lesson is clear: gratitude must not be delayed. Family—whether through birth or chosen bonds—is a treasure that must be acknowledged while it is here. When you pause each day to give thanks, you do more than honor your family—you also nurture your own soul, filling it with peace and strength. Gratitude is the thread that binds hearts together, even in times of conflict or distance.

Practically, this advice calls us to small but powerful actions. Each day, set aside a moment to reflect on your family and speak your thanks—through a call, a message, a prayer, or even a quiet thought. Do not let the busyness of life blind you to what is most precious. And if divisions exist, let gratitude be the first step toward healing them, for to give thanks is to soften the heart and open the door to reconciliation.

Thus the wisdom of Jenna Morasca endures: “Be thankful for your family.” Her words are not just advice, but a commandment of the heart, reminding us that gratitude is the shield against forgetfulness and the flame that keeps love alive. Let us, then, take a second each day—not in haste, but with sincerity—to give thanks for those who hold us, for in them lies the true wealth of life.