What Are You Grateful for For?

“I call them Clif bars. Have one – they’re great!”

One of the secrets of happiness is to have no expectations, to accept whatever life gives you, and to give thanks for blessings. The problem is, blessings so often accumulate and soon enough we take them for granted, or cop an attitude of entitlement. We forget.

This week, Americans celebrate what the New York Times called “the most psychologically correct holiday of the year.” Most of us at some point this week, perhaps formally on Thursday or perhaps privately and silently, take stock and offer our appreciation for what we’ve been given – family, love, health. This is good, but we should do it more: Regular observations of gratitude result in higher life satisfaction, better health, deeper sleep, and less anxiety.

I’m no different in what I’m thankful for than anyone else. My children, my wife, and the rest of my family. My work. My house. My life. But this week every year I also stop and reflect on where I am in my adventure life. Two months ago, I had surgery to remove a nightmare of hardware from my leg-now for the first time in four years, I’m pain free. That’s something to be thankful for. It’s allowed me to trail run again, one of my deepest passions. In October, I made a canyon country road trip and did or saw eight new things, woke to frost on my bag, and disappeared into day-long explorations where I didn’t see a soul. Thankful.

The poll answers are, of course, an incomplete list. They’re designed as much as anything to spark the conversation and get you thinking about all the wonderful things you’ve been given, within the parameters of adventure. I hope you have health, family, love, and connectedness. I hope, too, you’re getting after it and remembering to say thanks for the ability and opportunity to do so.

WIN SMITH SUNGLASSES JUST BY VOTING
This week, one poll participant will receive Smith Optic’s Rockford sunglasses. We’ll pick the winner via random number generator (and announce it here) – all you have to do to enter is vote and leave a comment so we have your email to contact you. Must have a U.S. or Canadian address. Contest ends Sunday, November 29, at midnight PST.

Congratulations to Michael Foster, who wins the Smiths this week!