As autumn continues to paint Whidbey Island in rich golds and crimsons, and the familiar scent of woodsmoke drifts through our neighborhood, I find myself reflecting on gratitude. Not just the kind that surfaces during Thanksgiving dinner, but the deep, transformative gratitude that can fundamentally change how we experience our daily lives.
Living on Whidbey Island, I'm reminded daily of the extraordinary privilege it is to call this place home. Each morning, as I watch the fog lift off the water or spot an eagle soaring overhead, I'm struck by how this dream of island living has become my reality. It's one of the countless gifts that drives my gratitude practice and I'd love to share why intentional ways of cultivating gratitude has become essential to my well-being.
The Science of Gratitude Practices
Before you dismiss gratitude practices as just another wellness trend, consider this: researchers have found that regularly expressing gratitude can significantly improve our mental health, strengthen our relationships, and even boost our physical well-being. When we consciously focus on what we're thankful for, our brains release dopamine and serotonin – those feel-good neurotransmitters that help us feel more optimistic and content.
But here's the thing – gratitude isn't just about feeling good. It's about seeing good, recognizing it, and allowing ourselves to fully experience it. It's about developing what I like to call "gratitude vision" – the ability to spot the beauty, kindness, and abundance that surrounds us, even (or especially) during challenging times.
Creating Your Gratitude Practice
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to gratitude. While many find immense value in maintaining a gratitude journal, your practice might look entirely different. The key is finding what resonates with you and making it sustainable. Here are some approaches that have worked for members of our Whidbey Island community:
1. The Morning Gratitude Ritual
Start your day by naming three things you're grateful for before getting out of bed. They can be as simple as the warmth of your blanket or as profound as the love of your family. This sets a positive tone for the entire day.
2. Gratitude Journaling
Whether it's a beautifully bound notebook or a simple notes app on your phone, keeping a gratitude journal helps create a tangible record of life's gifts. Revisit these entries during challenging times to remind yourself of life's continuous blessings.
3. Gratitude Walks
Our island offers countless beautiful trails and beaches. Try taking a "gratitude walk" where you mindfully notice and appreciate the natural world around you. The way sunlight filters through the trees, the sound of waves lapping at the shore, the friendly nods from neighbors – all become opportunities for thanksgiving. Find an inspiring place where you live.
4. Gratitude Sharing
Make it a practice to express gratitude to others. Whether it's telling your partner why you appreciate them, sending a heartfelt thank-you note to a friend, or acknowledging a kind gesture from a stranger, voiced gratitude strengthens connections and spreads joy.
My Personal Gratitude List
In the spirit of vulnerability and sharing, here are some things that fill my gratitude journal:
The privilege of living my dream life on Whidbey Island, where every day feels like a gift
My wonderful partner and my faithful companion, Mollie (my dog), who fill my days with love and laughter
Friends from every chapter of my life who continue to enrich my journey with their presence, wisdom, and support
Family members scattered across the globe, whose love knows no distance
Our incredible Whidbey Island community, whose warmth and generosity make this place truly special
The rhythm of island life – slower, more intentional, and deeply connected to nature
The changing seasons and the way they transform our island landscape
Small daily pleasures: my morning tea, sunset walks, unexpected deer visitors in the garden
Building an Attitude of Gratitude
While specific gratitude practices are valuable, the ultimate goal is to develop what I call an "attitude of gratitude" – a lens through which we view our entire life experience. This doesn't mean ignoring life's challenges or pretending everything is perfect. Instead, it's about maintaining awareness of the good that exists alongside the difficult.
Here on Whidbey, we might experience a power outage during a winter storm, but that same situation often brings neighbors together, sharing generators, hot meals, and conversation. It's about finding the silver linings while acknowledging the clouds.
Gratitude During Challenging Times
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of gratitude is its ability to sustain us during difficult periods. When we cultivate gratitude as a daily practice, we build resilience for harder times. It becomes a resource we can draw upon when we need it most.
During the past few years, as our world faced unprecedented challenges, I found myself returning again and again to my gratitude practice. Even on the hardest days, there was always something to be thankful for – the technology that kept us connected, the community that supported each other, the essential workers who kept our island running.
Making Gratitude a Family Practice
For those with families, incorporating gratitude into daily life can create powerful bonds and teach valuable life skills. Some families start gratitude jars, where they deposit notes about things they're thankful for throughout the year, reading them together on New Year's Eve or Thanksgiving. You may also choose to make sharing gratitude part of your dinner routine, with each family member expressing something they appreciated about their day.
Bringing Genuine Gratitude to Your Thanksgiving Celebration
While Thanksgiving naturally lends itself to expressions of gratitude, sometimes the traditional "What are you thankful for?" around the dinner table can feel rushed or perfunctory. This year, consider elevating your celebration with some thoughtful gratitude practices that create deeper connections and meaningful memories.
One beautiful tradition to consider is the "Gratitude Place Setting." As guests arrive, provide them with a decorative card and ask them to write a specific memory or moment from the past year that filled them with gratitude. Place these cards randomly at the dinner settings, so during the meal, each person reads aloud someone else's gratitude memory. This often sparks wonderful conversations and allows everyone to see the year through different eyes.
Another powerful practice is creating a "Gratitude Time Capsule." Before dinner, invite each person to write two notes: one expressing what they're grateful for in the present moment, and another sharing their hopes and gratitudes for the year ahead. Seal these in a container to be opened next Thanksgiving. It's remarkable how this simple act helps us reflect on our growth and the way our gratitudes evolve over time.
For families with children (or playful adults!), try the "Gratitude Scavenger Hunt." Before the meal, send everyone out to find or photograph something in nature they're grateful for, something that makes them laugh, something that reminds them of a happy memory, and something that represents hope for the future. Sharing these discoveries during dinner creates a dynamic and engaging gratitude practice that gets everyone moving and thinking creatively.
Consider also the power of "Gratitude Stories." Instead of simply naming what we're thankful for, invite guests to share a brief story about a moment when gratitude unexpectedly struck them this year. Maybe it was during a challenging time, or perhaps it was an ordinary moment that suddenly felt extraordinary. These narratives help us understand not just what we're grateful for, but how gratitude works in our lives to transform our perspectives.
For those gathering with family and friends who may be meeting for the first time or reuniting after a long while, try the "Circle of Appreciation." Each person takes a turn in the spotlight while others share specific things they appreciate about that person. This practice not only expresses gratitude but strengthens bonds and helps everyone feel truly seen and valued.
Remember, the goal isn't to force or manufacture gratitude, but to create spaces and opportunities for genuine appreciation to emerge. Sometimes the most powerful moments of gratitude come from the unplanned instances – the shared laughter over a cooking mishap, the quiet moment watching the sunset with family, or the spontaneous group walk after dinner where conversations naturally deepen and hearts naturally open.
Looking Forward
As we approach Thanksgiving, I invite you to join me in making gratitude a more intentional part of your daily life. Start small – perhaps with just one practice that appeals to you. Notice how it affects your outlook, your relationships, your sense of well-being.
Remember, gratitude isn't just about saying "thank you" – it's about feeling it deeply, expressing it freely, and allowing it to transform how we move through the world. Here on Whidbey Island, where we're surrounded by such natural beauty and blessed with such a strong community, we have countless opportunities to practice gratitude every day.
Let's make this season of thanksgiving extend beyond November, creating a ripple effect of appreciation that enriches our lives and our community throughout the year. After all, living well isn't just about what we have – it's about recognizing and celebrating the abundance that surrounds us every single day.