Kassie's Column: More Gratitude
On November 1, I started an inward movement.
Well, movement may not be the best term. Let’s say I began a more focused approach. Still may not be the best way to phrase it but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
At the beginning of the month, I decided I wanted to be more focused on gratitude for the rest of the year. Explained in Merriam-Webster Dictionary as the state of being grateful, the final 61 days of 2022 seemed like an appropriate time to put this into action.
Fresh off an unforgettable vacation, an overnight trip with my mama and an October that was filled with lots of delicious food (ya’ll know I love to eat!), time well spent with family and friends and countless road trips, I was definitely in a state of cognizance regarding the latest happenings. And so, I began my focused approach.
I’m now 23 days into the month and I wish I could say I’d been successful daily in making gratitude a priority. But I’m human and it hasn’t happened. Last week, I had a complete pity party because a certain situation has not played out the way I expected it. I was frustrated, exhausted and in disbelief. I was also quick to share that with God during our private chat.
Then something transpired.
Nothing I was really surprised about. However, it did remind me the importance of being honest about my feelings and mind state. Almost immediately after I was able to unload all my qualms, I felt better. Lighter. Grateful.
I was back to where I started at the beginning.
And it felt good. And that’s a reason for me to express gratitude.
I’ll speak for myself.
Often, I get caught up in not expressing gratitude because the plans I have crafted aren’t matching the one I’m living. I get caught up in what’s not happening instead of the what is. I get caught up in trying to figure things out instead of letting them work theirselves out in due time.
But the beauty in all of it is that I’m in a position to acknowledge it, release it and get back to a place where I can, once again, focus on the many blessings in my life. Amidst it all, I can be grateful for the inner work I’ve done throughout the years to guide me to a place where I can have a “woe is me” moment and come out of it better than I entered.
Cause let’s face it. No matter how much we attempt or even live out this life, something is going to come along to shake us up. What matters most is how we respond.
As we approach Thanksgiving day, I want to encourage you to ponder how you can move beyond seeing the fourth Thursday in November as a focused approach for one day into a life approach you can take with you the other 365/5 days a year. I know it can be done. I’m a living witness.
May gratitude abound.
Happy Thanksgiving! And beyond.
