In his own words, gratitude goes beyond thankfulness. While the latter is usually resulting from an exchange, gratitude means just being thankful to life for all the gifts we already have by being alive. Again, in his own words, gratitude is the emotion that can free humankind from his never-ending dissatisfaction … gratitude can bring sufficiency.

Julio’s message is deep and piercing … can we be happy just with what we already have? I, myself, find it difficult … most of my life has been driven by wanting what I don’t have. But does gratitude mean that we have to stop pursuing more? Maybe not. Maybe gratitude means being happy and grateful to life, but not necessarily assuming a passive and resigned existence.