A profound human force, gratitude arises from the combination of many cultures throughout the history of humanity. Language, body, and consciousness — of ourselves and others — have shaped a multidisciplinary and intercultural path capable of sustaining a sense of life that seeks goodness and peace.  

The word “gratitude” may reach our lips quickly, but it requires time, awareness, and practice to reach the heart and remain within us as a lasting attitude. When we view gratitude as a process — not just a fleeting emotion — we realize that it is a powerful tool for personal and social development.  

The value of the personal development process  

Cultivating a permanent state of gratitude is not spontaneous; it is a journey. 
It requires attention to the present, self-reflection, humility, and the ability to recognize what we receive — even when circumstances are not perfect. In personal development, gratitude works like an internal muscle: the more it is exercised, the stronger and more natural it becomes. It is precisely through this intentional cultivation that deep transformations occur, giving us a clearer vision of what truly matters in life.  

The cultural influences that shaped gratitude  

As we see it today, gratitude is the heir of centuries of human wisdom and practice, making it richer and more multidimensional:  

•  From Buddhism, we inherit the awareness of interdependence, thanking life, beings, and the conditions that make each moment possible. 
  • From Stoicism, we learn to value the simple fact of existing, giving thanks for another day and the opportunity to act virtuously. 
  • From Indigenous traditions, we inherit reverence for nature, thanking it for sustaining our survival. 
  • From Judaism and Christianity, we develop the idea of recognizing good and acting on it, even when there is no human return, directed primarily toward the divine. 
  • From Asian cultures, such as Japanese, we receive the notion of moral reciprocity, thanking people and relationships and returning care with respect and responsibility. 
  • From India, Ayurveda reminds us that gratitude is also medicine, cultivated daily by giving thanks for everything that allows us to live and grow. 
  • From Arab cultures, it is recognized that everything that comes — whether good or challenging — is part of divine wisdom, inviting humility and trust.  

Thus, gratitude as we see it today is multidimensional: spiritual, moral, emotional, relational, ecological, and therapeutic.  

Gratitude for a Peaceful World   

In a world of growing divisions and tensions, gratitude takes on a new political and social dimension. History shows us that every society has, in its own way, found a path to teach appreciation for others and for the world; yet transforming it into a permanent state remains challenging. In this context, gratitude could become a universal language and a tool for cultural dialogue.  

If we cultivate gratitude — both for who we are and for the value of others in our lives — we can aspire to reduce violence and increase empathy. Thus, cultivating gratitude is also cultivating peace.  

Gratitude in Macrobiotics  

Evidently, within all his teachings about the “Order of the Universe,” Ohsawa devoted much time and writing to this subject, sometimes radically, pushing us to reflect and develop our awareness.  

“Many people think to themselves, ‘I am healthy,’ or ‘I understand.’ They are the worst offenders, the sickest; the man who is certain that he is wise is actually the stupidest. (…) Sickness and weakness are necessary in this world. It is through our efforts to change them into health that we learn gratitude. How dull life would be without the challenge they present.” 
[Essential Oshawa, p.190-191, George Oshawa Macrobiotic Foundation, 2nd print 2002]  

Michio Kushi also emphasized the value of gratitude:  

“Let us be grateful for our birth on this planet with intelligence and wisdom and let us vow with all to realize endlessly our eternal dream of One Peaceful World through health, freedom, love and justice.” 
[Order of the Universe Magazine n°51, Autumn-Winter 1979, p.13, Order of the Universe Publications]  

Both having many resemblances with the wisdom of our ancestors from around the world…  

“I am because we are” — Ubuntu  

Within all of this, I couldn’t find a better way to express this unique human expression of gratitude than Ubuntu’s — “I am because we are” which can also be translated as “humanity towards others.”  

Ubuntu originates from South Africa. It is both an expression and a philosophy that teaches that being human means recognizing the value each person brings to our lives. Ubuntu gratitude is relational: we give thanks not only for what we receive but also for simply coexisting. It is a powerful reminder that humanity can only be fully realized when mutual dignity is recognized.  

It also reinforces the idea that gratitude is far more than a pleasant word to say or hear. Gratitude is a path, a practice, a preservation of ancestral memory, and a daily exercise that connects us to each other and to the planet, across past, present, and future. When we learn to keep it alive, we open space for clarity, serenity, and humanity.  

 “I am because we are” — Let us practice!  

1. Write the names of three people who contributed to who you are today.   

1. Note how each has impacted your life.  

1. Finish with the phrase: “I am because we are.”  

Simple, yet deeply transformative! Let us be grateful for…