Gratus animus est una virtus, non solum maxima sed etiam mater virtutum omnium reliquarum.
(M. Tullius Cicero, Pro Plancio 33.80)

A grateful spirit is a singular virtue--not only because it is the greatest, but also because it is the mother of all the remaining virtues.

pron = GRAH-toos AH-nih-moos ehst OO-nah WEER-toos nohn SOH-loom MAHK-sih-mah sehd EHT-yam MAH-tehr weer-TOO-toom OHM-nee-oom reh-lih-KWAH-room.

Comment: What is a virtue and what is not a virtue is fodder for religious and philosophical argument. When there are absolute doctrines at play, devotees can bash each other with their views. This or that virtue is superior to another based on one's absoltue doctrine. The absolute doctrine props up the religion or philosophical system. The religion or philosophical system props up something much more fragile--the individual's ego.

My ego ALWAYS prevents me from being grateful. Egotistical concerns have me so busy trying to take care of what I think I will die without that I cannot pause and realize how much I already have.

But when I do take that moment--ego aside--and wonder at how much I enjoy in this moment, all other concerns seem to pale.

It's a moment worth taking at this time of year.