The Greatest Gift We Can Give Ourselves and Others is the Gift of a Grateful Heart.

Ellen and Mom

The Birth of the Grateful Heart Movement

In March of 2007 the idea of the Grateful Heart Movement came to me through a challenging journey with my dying mother. My mother, Freda, my dear friend and cheerleader, was diagnosed with lung cancer. The trial of cancer is fierce and it was taking away my indestructible rock. I was lost, afraid and fearful of losing her. The thoughts, “Who will I be without my mom? How will I survive?” kept running through my mind.

Throughout the grieving process, I realized I could either focus on the painful loss OR on my gratitude. Concentrating on gratitude moved me out of the pain, and I understood that I was meant to share this lesson with the world. The Grateful Heart Movement was born.

My Grateful Heart

Mom, I can hear you from heaven saying, “I know you can do it, Ellen.” Thank you for inspiring me to aim for what I truly want in life. I am grateful that you taught me to leave the world in better shape than how you found it and to always honor your friends and family. I see you in everything I do and all that I am.

I love you and this is for you, Mom!

I dedicate this Grateful Heart Movement to my mom and dear friend, Freda Miller.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -- Melody Beattie