2. You can write these in a Gratitude Journal. Or, you can incorporate this exercise into your morning routine. What do you do regularly in morning where your mind is free? Walk, shower, exercise, commute to work? Reap double benefits from what you're already doing by making that your 'gratitude time'.

3. Starting your day with gratitude puts you in a pretty good mood. So, when you get to work, begin with hardest thing you have to do that day. I suspect you'll find it much easier to accomplish.

'Gratitude unlocks 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

I sat in stunned silence for a long time. It seemed - and was - such a momentous occasion. I was sure I'd never forget it - and I haven't. Even though it became a regular occurrence, I've never forgotten magic of that first time. In many ways, I even feel lucky that it took so long. It never became rote or meaningless. I was always aware of special-ness of that exchange.

But if my dad had gotten to where he is now before we had that opportunity, would I have felt so complete then? I am positive that I would not. My need to hear him say it (I always knew in my head that he loved me, but I still needed to hear words!) was pretty strong. The thought of never hearing him say it or of my being able to say it to him freely and without hesitation brings a different kind of sadness, a different kind of loss.

So, luckily for me, my dad's doing a whole lot better in last few days and I still have lots of time to enjoy this exchange with him. But what about you? If you got a call today that said your father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, mother-in-law, father-in-law was gone, what would you regret not saying? Same holds true for you. We often think we have plenty of time to 'clean things up'. The truth is, we usually don't so don't delay. Get on phone and say it now.

Sometimes what we need to say is harder than 'I love you'. If you feel what you need to say is too painful and you don't think you can actually say it to them, then write a letter to them that you never plan to send. The important thing is to release energy, and it is much simpler to do this while they are still alive. You will notice a difference in your interactions and you will feel 'complete'.

If that person is already gone, then definitely write letter. Pour out all your feelings, love, anger, sadness, whatever comes up. It will be helpful if you burn letter after you are done. Create a 'releasing' ritual of your own.

'Completeness' is a gift you give yourself and your loved ones. I hope you'll give it soon.