We are what we repeatedly do… therefore excellence is not an act, but a habit.

This was Will Durant’s interpretation of Aristotle’s theory that virtue is formed through repeated actions.

This is true of any virtue. We are taught to count our blessings. And we are usually able to as well, on good days. But when was the last time we could do it on a bad day? Practising gratitude regularly makes it a habit, muscle memory that builds up allowing us to notice the stars even on the darkest night.