Gratitude Attitude

Gratitude is like the steady pace of hiking a mountain. It grounds us and helps us focus on what truly matters. Let us take a moment to pause, appreciate, and be ‘thankful’ for the views we have taken in and the paths ahead of us.

For me, it means I am ‘thankful’ for life the new life lessons learned and opportunities. Most of all, 'thankful' for love. I learned to appreciate the love for and from my parents, my husband, his family and our closest friends.

   

A rockslide left boulders in my pathway.

Due to a blood disorder, I had open heart surgery at 30 and a stroke at 31 because of a rare blood disorder. My husband had a stroke a week before his 43rd birthday because his testosterone injections were thickening his blood. It was a fierce wildfire. We experienced the scariest and most intense moments of our lives. I am ‘thankful’ for the incredible doctors, advanced medicine, family, and our decades-old friendships. They all showed up when I needed it most to clear the trail to healing. I am now ‘thankful’ I can be an advocate for health and support others with the same trauma.

Going through it yourself is a tough climb. It is even tougher watching someone go through it, and there is nothing you can do but show up. I am beyond ‘thankful’ for the strong climbing team I have. Watching a climber fall is scary, but when the team has done their job belaying, everything is going to be okay. The climber will be back climbing again in a moment. So, lean on your team to save you when you are falling. It is physically and often emotionally impossible to navigate it alone.
      
This year also means reflecting on the past four years. My health pushed me to seek another job that was less physically demanding for my deteriorating condition. I found a perfect role, and similar to earlier in my career, I was laid off for the second time from jobs I loved. I fell hundreds of feet. I was defeated. My professional confidence, lost.

I am ‘thankful’ to have found a job so quickly. I am ‘thankful’ for getting fired from that job. It was a terrible fit all around. I sacrificed so much to have a job again. The unnecessary environment, icky culture, a hefty pay cut made it evident it was time to invest in my career and my professional happiness, even if it meant being unemployed. I was too ashamed to admit I did not have a job, I was fired, I needed to be unemployed and on unemployment (also ‘thankful’ for). I am ‘thankful’ for the friend that reminded me, “Unemployment is there for a reason, and to be patient to really find the right people and opportunity.” It brought me peace and the reassurance that I could summit the unemployment mountain.

As we ascend the peaks of our daily lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the climb, but taking a moment to reflect on what we are ‘thankful’ for can provide the clarity we need. Whether it's the support of loved ones, the beauty of nature, or the small victories along the way, there’s always something to be ‘thankful’ for. 

Catch you on the trails soon! Drop by in the new year on January 4th to talk about New Year's resolutions. I think mine is going to take me places.

Elevate your attitude and rise above the ordinary.

#AltitudeAttitude

#Thanksgiving #Thanks #ThanksBlog #GivingThanks #Grattutude #ThankfulFor #Cheers #Climb #Mountneering #Belay #SupportTeam #Familty #Friends #Love #Colorado #ExploreColorado #ColoradoThanksgiving

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