Notes On Gratitude From Spoke+Blossom
Photo by Holly Mandarich
Thoughts On “Gratitude” This Season From The Spoke+Blossom Team
Kim Fuller
Owner + Publisher
It’s important for me to remember every day that the practice of gratitude should never be taken for granted. Whenever I remember the quote by Melody Beattie: “Gratitude turns what we have into enough …” I am reminded how powerful moments of gratitude are to remind me how joy in small moments is experienced from a perspective of appreciation — gratitude. I know that if I can choose that perspective more and live into it more deeply, I find more light in the world and more contentment of my experience in it.
Bobby L’Heureux
Owner + Director of Partnerships
For me gratitude is a moment-to-moment practice that exponentially changes my reality. The practice puts the power in my hands to choose empowerment or disempowerment in all aspects of my life. It turns what I have into enough, a rainy day into a chance to test new gear, it allows me the pause to appreciate the moment as it is, for all of its beauty and darkness. To me it is not about being happy all the time it is about seeing the potential I have in choice. It reminds me that I am merely here for a moment and the grand scheme of life my existence is small and fleeting. Appreciate the journey and see all the amazingness that is our world with a little gratitude.
Kitty Nicholason
Art Director
On gratitude, from a detail (rather than big-picture) person: I’ve always considered myself lucky. Not win-the-lottery lucky, more like parking place lucky. Right place at the right time. My very existence: baby boomer. No kids in school and don’t own a restaurant. Grateful to be grateful. I’m even grateful for things I hated at the time; ultimately, one gave me my career and the other the love of my life. There’s nothing new in this concept — ‘silver lining,’ ‘look on the bright side,’ ‘could be worse’ — but I’ll take it. And wish it on everyone else.
Lexi Reich
Managing Editor
As a writer and editor, I am constantly researching local news and community gatherings in search of inspiration. This line of work has taught me gratitude is found in celebrating moments big and small, together as a collective. To me, practicing gratitude means uplifting others — research proves this actually increases our overall wellbeing. Every day brings different blessings and challenges, but knowing we’re not going through it alone makes it meaningful. This year, I am grateful for community, and will always strive to focus not only on my own health and happiness, but theirs as well.
Lauren Farrauto
Assistant Editor
When I started practicing gratitude daily, I found sitting down for a week and trying to find new things to write down was a little challenging. But, with practice, my appreciation for the sheer magnitude of things I have to be grateful for grew. While this helps me focus on the positives of my life, gratitude does not have to be a perpetual state of positivity. You can still have bad days; practicing gratitude is not meant to brush those feelings aside, but rather learning to sit with them and work through it. What are you grateful for in spite of the stress you’re feeling? Lessons can be learned from accepting things as they are and being grateful for what you can control.
Amber Griggs
Relationships Coordinator
We all have hard days, complicated lives and over-encompassing circumstances that affect our opinion of every moment. It's hard to say I truly comprehend "Gratitude" but I feel it every day. I realized the importance is an understanding to give ourselves a break, find out what makes us happy, discover a way to share that moment with the world. Gratitude as a principle is every minute I have, every day I can be present, every moment I can do something for others. Gratitude is all that I have and hope to be — small or large, I'm grateful for my place here and what I can do with it. I hope the same for you.
Becca Saulsberry
Graphic Designer + Illustrator
Gratitude, in a lot of ways, is choosing to be optimistic, actively focusing on the positive side even when, and especially when, things are hard. It’s acknowledging and appreciating the goodness in life. Gratitude is showing yourself compassion, sharing affection with those you care about, and expressing your values. I’m grateful…
· for the health and safety of my family, my friends, and myself
· to have such a loving, supportive, and quirky family
· that I’ve had the privilege to do things like go to college and play outside regularly
· for the hard times that have pushed me to become a more aware person
· and the messy, fun, ebbing-and-flowing, mundane, hard, heart-warming experience of existing
Kaitlin Emig
Intern
This year gratitude has become most evident in my life through my work as a Forest School Teacher. We honor the land and the environment that nurtures us through smudge and natural offerings. We rejoice in the ability to breath clean air, play in fresh water, and learn from old growth trees. I am grateful for my past mentors and their mentors who pass along the wisdom of learning from the land so we can continue to inspire the next generation. I've taken these lessons into my own life by writing 3 gratitudes every evening to remind myself, no matter how the day went, there is always something to be grateful for.
Naomi Allen
Intern
The meaning of gratitude has shifted for me in the past few months. In years past, I’ve spent Thanksgiving reflecting on my gratitude for the year’s extraordinary experiences. This year, I am grateful for the simple things that make me happy. I have a newfound appreciation for my proximity to nature. I am increasingly thankful for the quiet time I spend at home with my loved ones. I am thankful for good books, puzzles, and homemade cookies. Gratitude is about appreciating the things that bring me joy every day and never taking them for granted.