Gratitude

Thanksgiving week is the time to reflect on our lives and focus on things and people that make our world a better place. Gratitude is such a powerful tool. Practicing this has certainly pulled me through my most challenging moments, shifting my focus towards beauty in life and away from certain people and things that can drag me into a dark place. I did not realize the immense benefits of this emotion until recently! It can improve sleep, reduce blood pressure, and boost your immune system.

There are two stages of gratitude. The first is to acknowledge the goodness in our lives and say “yes” to life. My year of “yes” post-divorce taught me how to break through my fears and limitations to explore unknown yet exhilarating experiences! I learned how to ski at 37, road biked up 5,000 feet of elevation, learned how to surf, and hiked the Himalayas. (that chapter is coming 😉)

The second stage of gratitude is recognizing the sources of good that are beyond oneself. When I reflect on my lifelines over the years, my family is the greatest source of goodness in my world. I am one of the lucky individuals to be blessed with parents and sisters who will always be there. Despite many disagreements over the years, and sometimes a lack of understanding of my choices, I know that my family will always have my back. I did not realize how special and unique this was until I started to travel the world and recognized that this gift was not something to take for granted.

Not too far behind that of course would be my friends. I cannot imagine my days without the light Phoebe, Charlie, and Eva bring to my experiences. It doesn’t end there. I have also been lucky to maintain connections with people who have touched me at every stage of growth. A childhood friend from second grade, girlfriends from my high school posse, and coworkers from various fashion hubs.

Finally, I have boundless gratitude for my loyal companion, Ryley. The sheer joy that I feel when I am with my Aussie-Border collie mix dog is a greater love than I could have possibly imagined. His appreciation for nature has taught me to stop in my tracks, close my eyes, feel the wind, smell the trees, and thank the universe for these small miracles.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and know how much gratitude I have for each and every one of you!

Until next time,

❤️ Olivia