52 Kinds of Gratitude

Did you know that the Inuit have 52 words for snow?

It had me wondering how many words we have for gratitude. It turns out there aren't that many: thankfulness, appreciation, blessed... I was kind of disappointed. If you can think of more, please share them with me.

Then I started wondering how many different kinds of gratitude I feel and that produced more insight:

I feel a constant, bone-deep gratitude for getting to be a mother. Because it wasn't a given for me. When I was a girl, I wasn't comfortable around little ones. I wasn't interested in babysitting and didn't seem to be cut out for caregiving. As a teenager, I was so excruciatingly restless that I couldn't imagine tying myself down with kids and, in my 20's, I was so busy changing the world that I had zero interest in motherhood, absolutely zero. And thank goodness I didn't have children with the guys I was dating then!

But then one day, when I was 32, it hit me: "It's now or never, Lori..." It took several more years to find my partner, so I was an “advanced maternal age” when I had my kids. I was very lucky and I'm so, so grateful for the opportunity to walk the motherhood path. 

While that kind of gratitude lives deep in the core of my body, my gratitude for my kids feels open, radiant and expansive. What stars aligned to bring such bright, beautiful souls into my life? They are sensitive and strong, interesting beyond words, kind and wise. They challenge me and support me, laugh and cry with me, teach me and grow with me. One is like sunshine, the other like moonlight, and I can hardly believe that I get to live in their light.

Then there's the appreciation I feel to be alive on this amazing planet and enjoy walking in the woods, watching the shapes of clouds, seeing new buds, hearing all the different birds, feeling rain on my head and cold wind on my cheeks, standing in awe of the mountains and feeling connected to all the magic. This kind of gratitude feels like a smile -on my face, in my lungs, in my being.

And my gratitude for my friends? It's a big pink spot in my heart. I am thankful for those who have known me for decades and those whom I've met more recently, who rally around me when things are hard and hold space for all my fears, and who are right beside me through life's most precious moments and celebrations. I am so thankful for these beautiful humans who see me and love me as I am.

My gratitude for the work I get to do sits low in my belly alongside the deep knowing that I am doing what I'm meant to do. It's an honour to accompany you beautiful brave mothers, to hear your stories, be trusted with your vulnerabilities and doubts and guide you home to your wise, grounded selves. And I thank you for all that you teach me. 

I'm grateful for the places I've seen and the people I've met along the way, for blueberries, full moons, eagles, books, for growing up on a cattle ranch, the roof over my head, my brain, my next-door neighbour, musicians and mechanics, plant-based cheesecake, my teachers, mentors and elders, my explorations and the choices I've made.

Oh, and peaceful Sunday mornings like this one.

An Invitation

Would you like to take 10 minutes to feel all your different kinds of gratitude?

I'm sure you’ve got 10 minutes for yourself right now.

You might choose to write in your journal, make some art or meditate on one thing you appreciate. If you like, here's a tranquil Hang Drum playlist on Spotify that I've been enjoying lately.

Or you might choose something more active, maybe to go for a walk and feel the wonder of your beating heart, take photos of amazing things or put reminders in your phone to stop once a day and say three things you’re grateful for. 

Sending warmth from my heart to yours.

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