Finding Gratitude...

2025. What a year!
Maybe it's me, but as I sit with my hot tea looking out at this bluebird sky on New Year's Eve, I take in a deep breath and remember all that has happened in this year.
COVID-19 settles a little more "safely" into our rearview mirror, and I take a moment to reflect and find gratitude in the lessons I have learned.
Author Brene Brown says that practicing gratitude invites joy into our lives and can have a profound effect on our health. I absolutely agree.
But,
Sometimes this can be really, really hard.
For anyone who has ever lost a pet, you know how difficult and sad this can be. When you have to decide to put your pet down... the decision is enough to break your heart in two. It is hard to be grateful when your best friend passes away, but knowing she is no longer in pain and that we gave her the most wonderful and loving 7 years does give me a "ping" of gratitude. Grieving her loss will take time, and I know that eventually she will be remembered with smiles instead of tears.

"Finding gratitude during difficult times is not about ignoring pain or practicing 'toxic Positivity'; it is a resilient mental strategy that allows difficult emotions and appreciation to co-exist.
When life feels exceptionally heavy, traditional practices like detailed journaling can feel overwhelming. Instead, here's what I try to do when I'm feeling a little down or destabilized:

A walk and talk with a close friend in nature. We like to call it (Mother Nature's therapy). Without fail, getting into the cool, brisk air and chatting for an hour about life, kids, work, husbands, etc. (whatever comes up) feels SOOOOOOOOO good! Our bodies crave our close girlfriends, and I know this is an instant pick-me-up regardles of how stressed out I might be.
Besties are AMAZING at remembering your past hardships and bringing them to the forefront when our brains seem so consumed by the present.
"Remember when your mom..... (blabla bla...) you get the picture, they remember everything for you, so you don't have to!
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Remembering and honoring my sweet Bella. May you rest in peace and breathe BIG deep breaths in Heaven.

Building Resilience:
Gratitude acts as an emotional anchor, helping us view life in its entirety rather than being completely overwhelmed by temporary, catastrophic circumstances.

Gratitude fosters resilience by shifting the brain's focus from what is lacking or threatening to what remains stable and supportive.
​"I am grateful that Bella had access to quick and caring medical staff who handled us both with care, patience, and love. There was no delay in her medical care, and she passed away peacefully in my arms rather than (Anywhere else)...

Cognitive reframing: Allows individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable barriers. This process, known as cognitive reappraisal, provides individuals with a sense of agency and control over their emotional responses.
Active coping:
Instead of avoiding stressors, grateful individuals are more likely to practice "active coping," approaching problems with broad perception and strategic thinking.
Buffering:
Regular practice can build a psychological buffer against future trauma and aid in "post-traumatic growth" by helping individuals find meaning in past hardships.

In 2025, health and wellness experts emphasize that making gratitude a permanent habit requires moving beyond generic "Thank you's" toward intentional, daily micro-rituals.
To make gratitude a seamless part of your everyday life, it may be helpful to reflect on one thing you are grateful for every morning when you wake up.

Start your day and end your day with something that happened in your day that was positive and uplifting.
Ultimately, making gratitude a permanent "trait" rather than a fleeting "state" fosters lasting resilience, deeper social bonds, and measurable improvements in both mental and physical longevity. 
Thank you! I am grateful that you read my words and learned a little more about me and my world today. Happiest of New Years! Bring on 2026!
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With Gratitude,
Lexie
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Our newest addition, meet Romeo.