“Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other.” wrote Joseph Addison, an English poet. During a period of poor health for a family member, it was suggested that they start writing a Gratitude journal.
The process of writing this gratitude journal was very simple. Each day before bed, a moment or two was spent writing a sentence about one thing that the author was thankful for. Sometimes, the entry was very general.
“I am thankful for my family.”
“I am thankful for my friends.”
Other times the entry was written with great zeal. “I just found out I am going on vacation this summer. We are going to Maine…”
Numerous studies have shown that the very simple act of notating the things that we are grateful for has wide-ranging benefits. Increased happiness, reduced stress, and better sleeping habits.
Gardeners have many, many reasons to be thankful. If a gardener were to keep a gratitude journal, it might read something like this.
– The gorgeous red leaves of Maple trees in the fall.
– The bright purple flowers of Asters in October.
– The sparkle of frost as the sun hits it.
– A refreshing rain.
– The smell of freshly cut grass.
– A bountiful tomato harvest.
– Nature’s color through flowers, leaves, and stems.
– A job well done after working in the yard.
– A compliment from a neighbor.
– Farmer’s Markets.
– Tall trees that give us living proof of what was here before we were.
– Tulip, Daffodil, and Hyacinth that flower after surviving in the cold ground all winter.
– Flowers that remind us of our childhood.
– The smell of lilacs.
– Snow that blankets evergreen trees.
– The tree branches that bend, but do not break, in the fierce winds.
– The moon’s reflection off of white flowers.
– Hummingbirds and Butterflies.
– Being able to dig up plants and give them to friends.
– Hosting a summer luncheon on a patio filled with containers of flowers.
– Roses that seem to bloom forever.
– Flowers that repel mosquitoes.
– The stress relief that comes with pulling weeds.
– The gardening catalogs that come in the mail filled with inspiration.
– A perfectly manicured lawn.
– Gardening with grandchildren.
– The oxygen that is produced by plants.
– The Shade that a tree affords us from the hot summer sun.
– The sound that ornamental grasses make when blowing in the wind.
– Fresh cut flowers on the kitchen table.
– The chance to start gardening all over again next spring.
I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, grateful family, and special memories.
Editor’s Note: This is the final Gardenrs Forum column of 2014. Kathi Carr will be back with a whole new series next spring.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or tgsinc12@msn.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
