The harvest season is synonymous with bustling activity and is also an opportune moment to embrace gratitude. Amid the busy schedules of reaping, processing, children going back to school, and many resuming work after vacations, taking a moment for thankfulness might seem counterintuitive. But if you’ve been looking to cultivate a sense of gratitude, there couldn’t be a more fitting time than now.
In every garden, certain crops, fruits, or berries might flourish more than others each year. The relative success or failure isn’t the focal point here. When practicing gratitude, comparisons have no place. It’s not about measuring against past yields or other crops. It’s about feeling grateful for exactly what you’ve received. Embracing this mindset anchors us firmly in the present.
The Subtleties of Genuine Gratitude
It’s easy to deceive oneself into believing they’re feeling gratitude in the moment without actually delving into comparative evaluations. Let’s assess a few familiar statements:
- “I’m so grateful that this year’s potato yield was better than last year!”
- “I’m thankful my blueberry plants flourished when I had doubts!”
- “The corn didn’t fare well, but thankfully, we got a lot of pumpkins!”
- “I’m grateful for that single chili, though I wish we had more.”
Sound familiar? Many of us are conditioned to evaluate and compare. We label things as good or bad, commend each other, and classify matters as abundant or scarce. This isn’t inherently wrong. It’s a method to simplify the world and interact in universally understood terms. But while fostering gratitude, try sidelining this comparative mindset. Consider:
- “I’m grateful for the potatoes.”
- “I’m thankful for the blueberries.”
- “I’m grateful the pumpkins.”
- “I’m thankful the chili.”
It’s as straightforward as that. Yet, isn’t it tempting to add a little “but” after each statement? Resist that urge! Halt that thought before it veers into making excuses, comparisons, or judgments. Simply relish the gratitude, right here and now.
Wishing you bountiful blessings!
Cover image by RDNE Stock project
Grounded gardens 