Sharing gratitude, being love

The Kedron Brook in South Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When days of cloudy skies turn to light, we experience one of nature’s most awe-inspiring moments — and Saturday morning was such a time. I was quietly reading at my desk and looked up to see beautiful light shining into the room, illuminating part of it. Another few minutes, and the light shifted slightly, spreading further into the room as it took up more of the window. 

It struck me that good works much in the same way. Like the sunlight, it shines into our lives, and though there are days where it seems not to reach every corner of our experience, it is still active, still lending warmth, still breathing life into hope. This beautiful sense of good marches on, even through the toughest times. 

This time of year, gratitude is a point of emphasis, and is always a strong force for good in the world. Thanksgiving gives us a much-needed nudge to slow down our thought and take a moment to acknowledge the most important things. It provides an instant connection to how love is being expressed. For example, food shelves and other nonprofits are continuing to help those most in need, individuals and organizations step up to help their neighbors, and the smallest acts of kindness still go a long, long way. That’s because the light of goodness shining brightly in our hearts is a natural state of being for us, and it’s what we feel when gratitude is expressed. Take the example of Debra Ferrell of Virginia, who founded a nonprofit based on small acts of kindness. 

“It is a kindness organization where our motto is, ‘Be love. Do stuff,’” Ferrell recently told the media. 

Being love. Those two words are hugely important in today’s world, one where, so often, love seems to be very much overshadowed, or even under siege. But every time that issue comes into view, the perspective we bring to the table makes a difference, and it’s something we can consider, something we have the right to change. Even through challenges, the opportunity to be love — to do good, show gratitude to others — reveals life-changing actions we can take right now in our communities. In this world, nothing is more needed, and nothing can stand in the way of good that’s ready to make a difference.

— Gareth Henderson

Gratitude: A daily gift

A forest illuminated along River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Autumn officially arrives Wednesday, and we've all been experiencing the cooler nights, the falling leaves, the later sunsets — all harbingers of a new season dawning.

As those familiar signs build upon one another, the relative peace in nature offers a striking difference against the news we see and hear every day, as it often does. From economic peril and racial divides, to political tensions and food insecurity, there can seem to be little hope on the horizon for the world to overcome obstacles, make progress, and succeed together. The news cycle often feels like a washing machine with a broken off-switch.

The constant barrage of these ideas can quickly feel overwhelming, crushing out the reality that we still have access to hope, love and harmony. But it is important to look for that sliver of light every day, and strive to see it. That light illustrates the ever-present goodness that fuels each of us to do better. Every day, at the center of that light, is an opportunity to give gratitude for what each of us has, instead of longing for what another has, or comparing material possessions. Though we may not realize it, that comparison-mode can give root to negative thinking — even divisive thoughts.

Each day, I give gratitude for where I live, the love and safety of my community, my health, and for each day that the sun rises and sets. This brings to mind a line from the famous Ernest Hemingway novel, "The Sun Also Rises" — “Don't you ever get the feeling that all your life is going by and you're not taking advantage of it?"

Giving gratitude helps ground your day in goodness instead of lack, in harmony instead of tension, and it never stops letting in the light. When that news-cycle washing machine revs up and it feels like too much, we can always mentally look up and know we have a way to be grateful and spread goodness — even when life is sending constant challenges. And we can inspire others to do the same, making gratitude a daily gift, from us, to the world.

— Gareth Henderson

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

The value of gratitude

A countryside scene off Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the wintry air settles in and we celebrate Thanksgiving, we're moved to ponder the value of gratitude. In a year like this one, it's a quality that renews our push toward progress like nothing else can.

In a way, 2020, through its myriad challenges, has seeded the garden of gratitude very well. In the darkest of times, the light in our life shines brighter, illuminates other things to be grateful for, and presents us with more hope for the future. Central to that hope are the blessings closest to us, and the support of friends and family — even from afar — has been so meaningful this year. At the community level, we've seen people step up for their neighbors, whether it's showing up to volunteer in person, or donating to a local relief effort. As the months have gone on, we've perhaps even gained relationships or connections we never had before, and had the chance to strengthen long-standing ones.

As we remember these points of gratitude, they strengthen us with their light, even now. The power of a grateful heart is real. There is nothing small about the inspiration it propels, or the hope it cultivates. It moves us to share thoughts of gratitude with others, which amplifies the goodness in our lives, uplifts people, and opens pathways to progress we may not have seen before. That's surely a pattern we can all embrace and nurture together, and the best gift we can impart on Thanksgiving 2020.

— Gareth Henderson

The light of gratitude

Brilliant fall foliage on the Woodstock Village Green last weekend. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In a world full of challenges, it can be tough to remember the importance of gratitude. But it can be a meaningful force for good in our lives.

Overall, gratitude can throw some much-needed light into our day, providing a foundation for hope — a quality so important these days. In many ways, being grateful goes against the grain now. The noise out there in the world — whether through the news, social media, or shared opinion — can leave us feeling trapped by negative elements. However, gratitude is a good way to rise above them, build positive energy, and cultivate the hope that you can help make the world better.

I often try to remember that, even on the hardest days, there's something positive going on in the world — somewhere. Similarly, there's always something to be grateful for, whether it's family, friends, or a project in the community that’s benefiting others. Sometimes, we have to dig a little bit to notice these things, but it’s a worthy effort that always leaves us in a better place.

When we find and express gratitude, it not only helps ourselves, but others around us as well. That positive energy ripples out and touches them, like the far-reaching effect of one little stone being cast into a pond. Just imagine the positive impact this could have, with so many of us lifting up the goodness in life each day, together. It’s a force for good we can all help build, starting right now.

— Gareth Henderson