When gratitude shines
The rising sun tops the mountains in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
A familiar mix of national issues captured the spotlight in recent weeks, and sometimes it's challenging not to be swept up in the various concerns surrounding them. Sometimes, the pressures within our own lives, combined with larger issues in the world, are simply overwhelming.
But one important thing that often gets lost all in the noise, and can also help us, is gratitude. That concept is always important, and it is especially crucial during difficult times. Being consistently grateful for what we have helps us adjust our mental focus toward the good, which is a sure foundation for progress. We all have the ability to find points of gratitude in our lives; we just have to look for them, and value them for the blessings they are.
A song by the Vermont band Pete's Posse, called "A Grateful Place", captures that idea beautifully here:
I can be evermore grateful
Grateful for everyday grace
Whatever remains of this story of mine
Can be told from a grateful place
Even though the events in the nation and the world are daunting ones, we still have the power to build our own stories, and we don't have to let negative influences govern them. Frankly, gratitude can be a way to frame each of our days positively, by acknowledging the good in our lives, some of which we may have taken for granted. For example, we can daily take a few moments to consider what we're grateful for, whether it's something simple like a beautiful view out our window, someone being kind to us, or a major, positive development in our lives. It's a habit that unselfs our existence and adds more love and humility to how we live. And those are qualities we always need.
If we intentionally acknowledge the good in our experiences, we feel a stronger sense of hope, the energy in our day brightens, and we renew and increase our appreciation of life. Gratitude helps us do this. It can build paths to progress by changing our thinking for the better. Such an approach to life is much-needed today, and we don't have to wait for it to appear. The best part is, it can start with each one of us, right now.
— Gareth Henderson
