Getting distance and perspective is extremely important to me. I need to take a step away in order to apreciate what is happening, to understand how I am feeling, and how I want to move forward. I take distance and “me” time very seriously in my day-to-day life, and over the past few years I have made it a habit to get out of my head and out of the city a few times each year. The Rocky Mountains are an amazing perk of living in Alberta, and I like to take full advantage by heading to Canmore, Banff, and Jasper as frequently as possible. Being surrounded by the mountains, the fresh air, and so much nature works well to take me out of my own head, to realize that my everyday problems are small and manageable, and that the world is so much bigger than my individual experience.
This year, I am going to Canmore for Thanksgiving. I am never afraid to admit that I come from, speak from, and experience life from a place of privilege, but with that being said, my day-to-day life can be challenging, and I tend to get overwhelmed. I hope that getting out of my usual environment will help me to leave my stress and overwhelm in Edmonton, and to spend Thanksgiving weekend being appreciative and grateful for the bountiful blessings in my life.
Not everyone has the opportunity to jump in the car and go on a mini roadtrip vacation, but everyone can get out of their space, get outside, surround themselves with things bigger than them and things tht are important to them. This Thanksgiving, how will you allow yourself to be small, and let the things that you typically take for granted be big? To me, gratitude is not about me, it is about the people, places, and things around me that shape me into who I am, and encourage me to strive towrds who I want to become.