With the growing season ending and the transition to winter programming beginning, I’ve been reflecting on gratitude, and the gifts of time, health, relationships, and seasons.

My husband and I, along with many of you, were so grateful to finish this harvest season! In spite of disappointing yields, I heard several farmers say they were looking forward to gathering with family on Thanksgiving and counting their blessings. That’s a great attitude as we are truly so blessed!

Regarding seasons, I’m ironically finding much gratitude in the nights turning darker earlier to allow for rest on the farm. You don’t have to agree; I truly believe that’s a gift God gave to us in farming communities who go so hard most of the time. The beauty found in each season was recognized by a beautiful, warm day last Sunday and white snow against green evergreens this Sunday!

Many family and friends in my life are struggling with health concerns; most likely in yours too. It’s daily reminded me how easy it is to take health for granted and be grateful for the health I have. Health is more than just physical; it’s also mental, emotional and spiritual. Life is so short and not guaranteed! Relationships are so important and can be fragile. This led me to think about relationships in my life and the need to be intentional in giving time to others. It’s so easy to be “busy” but are we “busy about the right things”? I’ve written names of people to connect with and now need to be intentional in doing that. What about you? Are there people in your life who could benefit from the gift of intentional time spent catching up?

As I reflect on this year and walk alongside of people, it seems like there’s increasing divisiveness, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. For encouragement, fear and anxiety can’t succeed in the midst of gratitude. Gratitude produces Joy! When we focus on gratitude and choose joy, there’s no room for worry, discontentment, or fear for the focus is no longer on ourselves.

If we chose to live with gratitude, how would it change us and our perspectives? Would we be less prone to complain and get discouraged when things go wrong? Would we be less likely to argue and more likely to extend kindness and grace to others? How would it impact the divisiveness we see in our country, our communities, our families?

So how do we choose to live with gratitude? A start can be to intentionally seek at least one thing each day for which to be thankful. At first it can be difficult and perhaps awkward. For some, it’s hard to even think of one thing. Perhaps a starting point can be gratitude for one’s home, bed, food, vehicle, job, friend or family member, etc.? Over time of practicing this, one’s perspective can change to even finding gratitude as things go wrong. I’m not good about this all the time, but it sure helps my mindset and increases my perspective when I choose gratitude even when things go wrong. Perhaps others can relate to this?

Ultimately, my hope is that we can experience more joy each day in the everyday moments as we intentionally seek to live with gratitude. And, that this joy can be extended via kindness, grace, compassion to others around us.

Reminder of several programs this week: Organic Conference Dec. 2 near Mead, Dr. Kohl at 1 p.m. at the Bruning Opera House on Dec. 3, and the Landlord/Tenant cash rent workshop at 10:30 a.m. at the Seward Co. Extension Office on Dec. 4.