Stop for just a moment and close your eyes. Take a deep breath and be thankful for something or someone. This simple act can truly make you happier and more peaceful. According to an article in Harvard Health Publishing, “Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier,” being grateful helps us turn our thoughts to what we have rather than what we lack.
One of the moments I am most grateful for is a trip I took with my daughter, Rebecca, to the Umbria region of Italy. I brought my canvases and paints and made time to soak in the beautiful skies and rolling countryside, translating that experience into a series of paintings. I named the collection The Italian Job. One of the pieces, pictured at the top, features a field of newly baled hay is entitled, Rotoballes in Umbria. Rotoballes is the Italian word for round hay bales, just like the ones we make at the Double Heart Ranch.
This painting reminds me to be thankful for rain, hay fields and the rituals of preparing for winter. In the same way, Thanksgiving gives us a moment to pause, look ahead to the coming holidays and season and count our many blessings.
Some of you will be with your families today. Others may spend the day volunteering. And still others will gather with a few friends to share gratitude. Wherever you are, I send my heartfelt thanks to all of you I’ve had the privilege of knowing along life’s path.
As most of you know, I am a big believer in handwritten thank-you notes. This Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to write a thank-you note to ourselves. I suspect we’ll find we have far more to be grateful for than we realize.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gay Gaddis
Founder. Author. Artist. Trailblazer.
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