“So many people are taught compassion is stupid. Gratitude is really stupid. And I got to talk to researchers, and it was so interesting ’cause they said, well, actually it’s the opposite.

These researchers said to me, if you practice gratitude, you have a kind of energy. You don’t feel so bereft, so exhausted, so that you can seek change with some energy.

And not only that, people who practice gratitude want to pay it forward. They want to see other people get a break, have something good happen for them. So we get to see these myths. And if we can see through them, then we can orient ourselves toward a more true happiness.”

In this best-of-episode from 2023, Donna sits down with renowned meditation teacher, bestselling author, and mindfulness pioneer Sharon Salzberg to explore why choosing happiness is one of the most revolutionary acts we can take in today’s chaotic world.

Sharon shares her deeply personal story of healing, her early experiences with LovingKindness (metta) meditation, and the inspiration behind her bestselling books including Faith, Real Happiness, and Finding Your Way. She explains how practices like mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude aren’t soft or passive — they are acts of strength, resistance, and spiritual empowerment.

Together, they unpack:

• Why true happiness is an ability, not a fleeting feeling
• How small acts of good can combat helplessness and burnout
• Why loving your enemies isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom
• The power of gratitude to recharge your inner resilience

Whether you’re struggling, healing, or simply seeking more meaning, this conversation will remind you that joy isn’t frivolous — it’s radical.

If you would like to learn more about Sharon, please visit her website www.sharonsalzberg.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode 27 – “Coming Home to Ourselves with Stephen Cope.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our newsletter email list or get a list of upcoming events visit donnayferris.com

Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#HappinessIsRevolutionary #BounceBackStronger #SharonSalzberg #MindfulnessPodcast #CompassionIsStrength #RadicalJoy #LovingKindness #RealHappiness #GratitudePractice #EmotionalResilience #HealingJourney #MeditationMatters #FaithOverFear #InnerPeace