I’m always grateful when walks bring me views like this one!
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. A day dedicated to food, football, apple cider, large gatherings of family and friends, and games is pretty much my perfect day.
This year I’m particularly stoked to check off a bucket list item of running a race Thanksgiving morning. I know for many that sounds like their nightmare come true, but I’ve always wanted to do this and never have for whatever reason. So this year my flight lands at the Detroit airport at 6:00am (fingers crossed) and the plan is to run a 5k with my cousin in Toledo, Ohio at 9:00am.
As I’ve mentioned previously when writing about Thanksgiving, I also recognize the controversy involved in this holiday. Yet, with anything that has a downside, we can either boycott it, protest it, or transform it. My choice with this holiday is to recognize the contentious history, not engage in disrespectful practices, contribute to making life better for all human beings throughout the year, and make gratitude the focus of the day.
Because gratitude is transformational, but man, it sure can be tough sometimes. I’ve struggled with it quite a lot this year. I’ve encountered many things I’m not yet grateful for. Maybe never will be. But, ironically, in some ways I’m grateful for that. Because I’ve had to be much more intentional in developing a consistent gratitude practice that works for me. This is something I often encourage my clients to do, but haven’t so much followed my own advice.
Gratitude hike.
I’ve kept a daily one line journal for years, which is usually reflecting on something I appreciated that day. Still, as much fun as it is to see how I’ve spent my time over the years and as much as I love to write, it hasn’t done much for my overall attitude toward gratitude. Realizing I needed a serious attitude shift, I decided to turn all of my walks (and runs) into “gratitude walks.”
A “gratitude walk” (or run, bike ride, drive, whatever) is like mindful walking, but takes it up a notch. It’s setting the intention to notice things in the moment that you like and appreciate around you as you move.
I started to doing this during planned walks and runs, but also when I felt stuck, cranky, anxious, sad, angry, all those fun emotions. If I could. If I couldn’t get up and move, then I did as soon as I could.
So what is it like to go on a “gratitude walk?” You notice things you enjoy with all of your senses and then allow yourself to feel grateful for them. Gratitude feels like a warming sensation in your body, especially around the heart. You find yourself smiling for no reason and think, “Wow, life is really great!”
Sometimes it takes a little while and some faking it to genuinely feel grateful. There are plenty of times I’ll notice something I know I like, but still think something along the lines of, “Well, who the eff cares. I’ve got this, this, and this going on and that sucks, blah, blah, blah.” But if I push through that and stick with it long enough, the crabbiness fades away and I genuinely feel grateful, peaceful, and happy by the time I’m done. And it lasts. Not forever. My ego likes to fight the good stuff sometimes. But it lasts longer and is starting to create a very helpful habit.
Here’s what I’ve noticed lately on these outings that I’m grateful for:
Sight
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the architecture and design walking around Palm Springs, CA.
I’m a major fan of architecture. I could look at houses and other buildings all day long, admiring their shape, color, materials, and design. I also enjoy the landscaping along my routes, all the different plants and flowers and how people have arranged them as art around their homes. I especially enjoy ivy crawling up brick and masses of succulents. The leaves changing colors and falling to the ground spark joy. I love how crunchy they feel under my feet. I enjoy watching the animals I come across. I enjoy watching my dog when he’s with me, seeing how he reacts to things. I like watching people smile at me and go about their lives. I love being out while the sun is rising or setting (More usually when it’s setting.) and feel grateful for their brilliant colors. If I’m near the ocean I gaze at the water appreciating its existence and beauty.
Smell
I’m grateful for all of the delicious smells I come across. Fresh baked goods or other food cooking. I was raised a vegetarian so I’ve never really eaten meat, but for whatever reason I enjoy the smell of BBQ and grilling. Smoke rising from chimneys. Fresh cut grass. Fragrant flowers.
Taste
There’s not usually much I can taste, but if I’m out in nature and come across some berries or other fruit, oh, I’m stopping and having some. If I’m training for a long distance race and have a long run that I bring candy or dried fruit on, I’ll definitely savor that as well.
Hearing
Peacocks make some of the greatest noises you’ve ever heard! And they’re beautiful to look at.
I love listening to the birds and their songs. I often wonder what they’re chattering about. I also enjoy hearing other animals communicate. The sound of my footsteps. Branches rustling. The wind blowing. I love hearing children (and adults) laughing and playing. I love hearing people encourage me, make jokes, or say other kind things to me as I’m out.
Touch/Physical Sensations
I’m always grateful that my body can move in the way I want it to. I’ve had periods of time when it couldn’t and that makes me even more grateful for what it can do now. Even when I’m running a far distance (or short sometimes) and feeling exhausted, I think, “At least I can run” because I always miss it when I can’t. So I’m supremely grateful for the sensation of my feet hitting the pavement, grass, woodchips, rubber. I notice how my body feels against my clothing and appreciate how comfortable that feels. And that I generally move with ease. I’m grateful for the breeze against my face and sun shining on my body.
So there ya have it. Something to both combat the amount of calories consumed this Thanksgiving and make you feel the love not just this time of year, but all year round.