Comedian Pete Holmes: 2 words that changed his life

Comedian Pete Holmes has found a surprisingly simple way to transform life's annoyances into moments of gratitude, and it only takes two words.

On Dan Harris' podcast 10% Happier, Holmes shared his powerful mantra: "Yes, thank you." When his flight gets delayed or something goes wrong, he immediately says these two words to himself. The effect, he says, is almost instant.

"It just really short-circuits your brain," Holmes explained. "Flight is delayed. 'Yes. Thank you.' It's so weird. That's why it works."

The comedian, known for his honest humor and spiritual exploration, says the practice stops us from fighting reality. Instead of treating inconveniences like a basketball we're trying to hold underwater, we simply accept what is.

Holmes gave a perfect example of how this works at airports. When you stop resisting the delay and just say "yes, thank you," you suddenly notice you're alive. You might see sunlight streaming through the windows or remember that people once died on journeys you'll complete in four hours.

"Really, not debating with the bad feeling, just saying 'Yes, thank you' to it," Holmes said. "That's been one of the most powerful things in my life."

Why This Inspires

Holmes is tapping into ancient Stoic wisdom that's proving remarkably effective for modern stress. Former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote that we have no right to complain about what we're given because what benefits the whole cannot harm the parts.

This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending problems don't exist. It's about recognizing that resistance creates more suffering than the problem itself. When we stop fighting what's already happened, we free ourselves to respond with clarity instead of panic.

Gratitude in Stoic philosophy isn't just a mood. It's understanding that everything is temporary and everything can serve a purpose. When you practice this kind of acceptance, you move closer to what the Stoics called a flourishing soul.

Holmes and Harris explored how this simple practice connects to meditation, awareness, and learning to accept what life offers. The beauty is in its simplicity: you don't need to debate your feelings or force yourself to feel happy. You just acknowledge reality and say thank you.

Two words that might just change everything.