Gratitude

grat·i·tude

noun

the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

I was asked to write a quip about gratitude for the Thanksgiving season. I couldn't help but feel annoyed because I've been traveling a lot. Busy.

Trying to be a good mom, trying to eat healthy, trying to get everything checked off my list, trying to be a good partner, all while having fun. I go to yoga and it is supposed to be a time where I sit and feel the gratitude...but to be honest, all I think about is all the stuff I have to do after I get out of the studio because it is so HOT in there.

It's embarrassing to admit that I actually had to look up the definition of gratitude. I included the definition above. I don't like that definition so I thought I would write my own.

Do you ever stop and write your own definition? To me gratitude is that moment...you know the one I'm talking about where you are buzzing around at work, the grocery store, or picking up the kids...that moment when you stop. STOP.

Just simply stop what you are doing and realize how lucky you are. The life that you are lucky enough to life is pretty great. I've also had this moment when something terrible comes on the news and you are so thankful that hasn't happened to one of your loved ones.

It makes you feel bad that you are grateful that it didn't happen to your loved one, but rather someone you don't know. Either way, it makes you feel bad. Remind yourself that bad feeling that you get is gratitude.

Thanksgiving season is a time that I reflect on the past year. I slow down. I sneak out of work early when I can. I start baking with my kids. I like to go for a long walk outside before the weather gets too cold. When I walk around the resort I can see families meeting here for time together. They are buying matching shirts. The dads are playing cards in the bar with a few beers. Mom's are having a Mimosa flight with breakfast. Relaxing.

Something that we don't do enough. Relax. Feel the gratitude.