In her No. 1 New York Times best-selling book, “Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience,” author Brené Brown writes that there is overwhelming evidence that gratitude is beneficial for us physically, emotionally, and mentally.
She goes even further by stating that there is research showing that gratitude is correlated with better sleep, increased activity, decreased entitlement, decreased hostility and aggression, increased decision-making skills, decreased blood pressure — and the list goes on.
All of this sounds wonderful and certainly suggests that seeking gratitude is something all of us might consider increasing in frequency, if for no other reason than the ones listed above. But it also begs the question: What is gratitude, and how can we attain it?
In her book, Brown defines gratitude as “an emotion that reflects our deep appreciation for what we value, what brings meaning to our lives, and what makes us feel connected to ourselves and others.”
She goes on further to say that gratitude is a practice that anyone can make a part of their life simply by thinking, writing, or verbally expressing things they are grateful for.
At TART Trails, one of the internal core values embraced by the organization is gratitude. In that context, it is described as making a special effort to share our appreciation by expressing thanks and showing respect to co-workers, volunteers, donors, and partners.
This season of Thanksgiving offers the opportunity for all of us to be more deliberate about practicing gratitude, and for me, time outdoors and on the trails is my happy place to reflect on the things I am grateful for. Like many people, I find that my best and most creative thoughts and ideas often come to me when I am out on a walk, run, or bike ride on the trails.
In addition to the benefits of getting the body moving, the blood pumping, and the juices flowing, time on trails brings up all kinds of opportunities to reflect on the people in my life and the people who help manifest trails from a mere idea to a shared reality.
I think of our ancestors, without whom none of us would even be here today. I think of all those who came before us and reflect on the fact that all of the trails that make up the TART Trails network, now and in the future, exist on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe people who are today represented by the nations of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
I think of our more recent history and the visionaries who not only understood the value that non-motorized recreation and transportation can bring to a community but who also were willing to put their ideas into action and do the real work of showing up and creating a culture reflective of those same values.
I think of the friends in my life who I have shared countless hours with bonding on the trails. I think of my colleagues who work tirelessly and thoughtfully to bring their best energy towards expanding and improving our beloved non-motorized trail network.
I think of my family and how sometimes it can feel selfish to head out for hours to find my trail, but how I always come home a better person who can be more present for them upon my return.
I think of you, the reader, and how this resonates with you, or perhaps doesn’t, which is OK, too.
Whether you consider yourself a trail person or not, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving with a heaping dose of gratitude, whether you find that on the trail, at the dining room table, or anywhere else in your life.