Thankfulness flows easily in spring - but what about life’s winters? During my divorce, I created a gratitude survival garden:

- Planted literal seeds (sunflowers from dollar store)
- Watered them with tears and whispered thanks
- Journaled one "rock bottom blessing" daily
Those sunflowers grew 12 feet tall - and so did my spirit. Studies show gratitude in hardship reduces PTSD symptoms by 38% (Mayo Clinic). The practice mirrors ancient wisdom: "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Barren Season Toolkit:
1. "Grit Gratitude" List: Thank 3 hard-won strengths
2. Sensory Anchors: Identify textures/smells triggering thanks
3. Legacy Mapping: "How will this pain help others someday?"
Like desert roses blooming after storms, gratitude roots deepest in drought.