Practicing Gratitude

The holidays are my favorite time of the year. Not only is it a time of family gathering and connection, but it is also a time to reflect on what there is to be grateful for. Beyond the festive decorations and delicious meals, this time of year offers a chance to connect, reflect, and practice gratitude. I have found that practicing gratitude has significantly improved my mindset. 

In an environment that frequently pushes us to pursue more, gratitude helps us appreciate the wealth that is already around us and provides us with a sense of peace. I have found that when I get stressed or start to worry about something, pausing to think about the things I am grateful for helps take my mind off the things that are overwhelming me. Practicing gratitude has significantly shifted the way I think about things. Instead of focusing on what I might feel is missing, I am drawn to think about what is present such as my family, friendships, health, and even the small moments of beauty in each day. 

During this holiday season, I encourage you to practice gratitude! Practice thinking about the things in your life that you have to be grateful for and see how this can have a significant impact on your outlook on life. It is so easy to get wrapped up in thinking about the things we don’t have, but being mindful of what you do have in life can change the way you view your circumstances. 

Spending time with animals also has a unique way of bringing us back to the present moment and reminding us of all we have to be grateful for! Animals teach us to appreciate the simple things and their calming presence has a way of opening our hearts to gratitude. I encourage you to spend time at WhistleStop and experience the ways in which the animals at the ranch can help you pause and appreciate the little things in life. 

Katia Cannon