5 Lesser-Remembered Reasons to be Grateful

During this Thanksgiving season, it’s customary to reflect on the things for which we are most grateful. For many of us, this takes place around a dinner table overflowing with decadent food, surrounded by family and friends. As we reflect on our blessings, family, friends, and our economic well-being rank high on the list. Also included our professional achievements, educational accolades, and of course athletic accomplishments.

However, in reflecting on the bigger picture of life, there are blessings we sometimes fail to include on our list. Here are a few lesser-included reasons to be grateful that sometimes don’t make the cut: 

5 lesser-remembered reasons to be grateful:

1.  Our health- I’m not talking about being free of the normal maladies that affect so many such as serious illness or conditions like Cancer or ALS (of course we are so grateful for our general physical health); what I’m referring to is our base ability to walk, talk, and move. Many times over the season, I’ll catch myself being frustrated because my run splits are slow, or my swim times aren’t as consistent, or my power on the bike has plateaued. Yet in that moment, I’m oblivious to the simple fact that I have the use of my arms and legs. I can move without pain. I can breathe on my own. As an athlete, I’m reminded of this when I’m injured- if I’ve got a sore Achilles and can’t run, or a back spasm that affects my swimming- then I reflect on the blessing of moving pain-free. But it’s few and far between. Maybe we should spend a little more time being grateful we can move at all instead of being obsessed with moving as fast as we want. 
2. Our failures- While no one likes to fail, our failures can be our greatest teacher. I’ve seen this throughout my life both relating to health and fitness, and in life in general. Seeing our failures as opportunities for growth requires a shift in perspective that can lead to huge benefits. At times, we stumble by creating an overambitious workout regimen for ourselves, or by struggling to repair a bike flat, or attempting a long run that morphs into a struggling walk. In that moment, challenge yourself to see that moment for what it is: an opportunity to learn, to grow and become better. 
3. Our support system- This one is a no- brainer. Yet we often seem to neglect those around us that help us in our quest to achieve our goals - especially when things don’t seem to go our way (see #2) I personally am incredibly grateful for wonderful family who make enormous sacrifices so that I can do what I love, both as a hobby and as a profession. My angel wife is so patient with me and indulges my craziness, especially during the peak weeks of Ironman training, where I’m off swimming/riding/running for 20+ hours a week. Next time you struggle with our motivation to get after it, maybe shift gears and tell your people how much they mean to you, and how grateful you are for their support means to you. That should fire you up a bit, and put a few deposits in their emotional bank account.
4. Our food- In this day and age, we debate about fad diets and perfect meal plans. We deliberate over which has the greatest health benefits, Paleo or Veganism. Which foods are best to buy organic or not. Well, 20+ years ago, I was a missionary in Honduras. There I witnessed on a daily basis what it meant to go hungry. One time in particular I remember handing over my leftover soup and bread to a woman who was starving. She immediately took the pot of hot soup, and stack of white bread, and sat down on the floor of my small, tin-roofed apartment. She then called for her two tiny children, who unbeknownst to me were outside the door. It broke my heart to see these poor, dirty, starving children sitting on my floor along with their mother lapping soup straight out of the pot. That image is seared into my mind. The little 18 month old, wearing only a diaper; his sister just a year or two older in her little dirty pink dress, and their grateful mother, eating our table scraps. While we are fortunate not to have to wonder about where our next meal may come from, we can all be a little more grateful for the food we have to eat. 
5. Our success- this also seems like a no-brainer. Being grateful in good times seems to be easy. When success abounds, it’s easy to give thanks on bended knee- think Tim Tebow. Yet sometimes we are quick to dismiss success that may not be as impressive. This is especially true when we downplay those small victories that are so critical on our health and fitness journey. So many times clients with heads hung in shame, tell me that they did really well with their nutrition for 3 or 4 days, but went off the rails on the weekends. While it’s best to not go off the rails on the weekends, they neglect the fact that they were victorious 4 days of the week. I’ve got some runners who’ve battled injuries, and at times are only able to do half of the workouts I’ve prescribed for them. And while injuries are never joyful, they need to reflect on the fact that they were at least able to complete half the workouts- again, another victory. Be grateful for those successes that may not be as impressive, but are none the less victories. 

So, there you have it. Those are 5 lesser-remembered reasons to be grateful this Holiday Season.