From My Perspective: Gratitude Comes in the Moments

In December, I'll be moving into the theme of blessings, but for my last column in November, I want to continue my thoughts on gratitude.

Something that seemed so random ran into me like a freight train this weekend. I've heard the words "be present" and "live in the moment" before, but never, in all of my life, have those words smacked me right across the face as they did on Saturday.

I'm sure you've seen or heard those words, hundreds of times, right? So have I, and until this past weekend, they were just words... and now, I'm not sure they will ever be "just words" again. Let me try to explain.

Saturday morning I was feeling very anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed out. In my mind, all of those words didn't accurately describe what I was feeling. I was probably in the middle of a full-blown panic attack if I'm being really honest. I'd been up most of the night before, unable to sleep, and then when I did fall asleep, I slept through an alarm and woke up finding myself three-hours behind in my day. I had to drive over to feed my horse (usually something I look forward to) and on the way all I could do was think about all the stuff I was supposed to have gotten done already, but hadn't, which was going to cause more delays in my day, and falling further behind the eight-ball, so-to-speak.

I glanced up from the road in front of me and was quickly reminded that I live in the most beautiful place, with nature and beauty all around me. It was in that very minute I realized that life, and gratitude, are made up simply of moments. Big moments, little moments and all the moments in between.

I found that if you stay present, in the current moment, there is so much to be grateful for. Right then, for me, on Saturday morning, it was nature. The brilliant blue sky, after gray skies that had dropped snow, the green of the towering pine trees, and the crispness and newness of the day. I was no longer running behind. I was exactly, right where I needed to be.

How many times have you rushed through your days, trying to accomplish as much as you could and forgetting to do the things that were truly important, basking in moments to treasure, and being grateful for what just was?

Later on Saturday, after my little epiphany, I went home. There was still a lot I needed to do. Normally, I'm multi-tasking (one of the worst time-saving inventions ever) or, while I'm working on a current project, my mind is already reminding me what I'm supposed to be accomplishing next. I know some of you can completely relate. How many times are you working on something and out loud, verbally reminding yourself not to forget the next X, Y, Z? Just me who does that? I doubt it.

Anyhow, all day Saturday I decided to be fully present in each activity, conversation and task. I left my phone downstairs, away from me with the volume muted, while I worked upstairs in my studio. I found I was grateful for the opportunity to just create, without any interruptions. At the end of the studio time, I took the dogs out and spent individual time with each of them. One of my dogs is very old. She's blind, she's deaf and starting with some other health issues. In all honesty, she likely won't be with me much longer. I'm so grateful I took the time to spend with her, just her. We truthfully never know how much time we have with pets, family, friends or loved ones. Saturday, I decided I would spend time with my little dog – and in being present in that moment, I realize how grateful I am for that time with her.

When I did laundry that day, I focused on the warmth of the clothes coming out of the dryer. As I folded each garment, I thought about how grateful I was to have it, and a place to do my laundry. In a simple moment of folding clothes, I found countless reasons to be grateful.

What I found myself most grateful for on Saturday? The fact that in one clear instant, I could make a decision to be in the moment and to truly appreciate all the gifts that were right in front of me the whole time.

Gratitude, like anything, is just a moment in time. It's in those moments, though, that we can find reasons to be grateful for anything.

I hope you all realize, in your own moments, the things you are most grateful for. As we head into Thanksgiving, I hope you and your families, near and far have a wonderful holiday and find your moments of gratitude plentiful, rich, and full of promise for tomorrow.