The Art of Gratitude and Letting Go
Sarah Wallace 
Explore the wisdom of letting go and gratitude through the metaphor of falling leaves, embracing change for new growth and opportunities.
The Art of Gratitude and the Wisdom of Letting Go:
Lessons from Nature
As I sit outside with Nola, my yoga dog, by my side, a cup of coffee in my hands, I gaze at the beautiful tree in my yard with its bright, golden, orange leaves dancing to the ground; I feel joy.
As the tree prepares for winter and demonstrates the necessity of release, I think letting go isn't so bad; it's the start of new beginnings. This moment also reminds me of the importance of practicing gratitude year-round, not just in November. Research is consistently showing that cultivating gratitude enhances joy, happiness, and overall well-being—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Nature's Lessons in Letting Go
The tree in my yard demonstrates remarkable wisdom. Its vibrant colors don't mourn summer loss but showcase its true beauty. As leaves fall, they don't plummet straight down; with their lightness, they flow and dance in the air, fluttering gracefully before gently landing. We can also learn to let go with grace and gratitude and prepare for new experiences, and to approach our transitions with appreciation. Having expectations and holding on to them can lead to disappointment, and without expectations, we open ourselves to new possibilities and personal growth.
The Art of Letting Go
Letting go implies some kind of attachment or clinging. Most of the time, holding on doesn't serve our best interests. So, we try to let something go and think we've done it, but back it comes - what ever it is! Pema Chödrön, an American Buddhist and inspiring author, wisely wrote, "Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know." We often struggle to let go until we learn the lesson trying to reach us. Nature is patient, and life is a persistent teacher, offering the same lessons repeatedly until we understand. It's easier said than done, even though we know that holding onto unnecessary thoughts, relationships, or stressors keeps us in a state of tension—constantly in fight, flight or freeze mode. This isn't a state of ease, but dis-ease, often leading to disease. If you picture your body in continual stress, all the organic food you eat, all the pasture-raised beef, all of your bone broth, and all the supplements you take won't work. Letting go isn't about forgetting, ignoring, or escaping; it's about gently allowing them to be, holding them with understanding, or releasing them with love, kindness, joy, and freedom, even in challenging times, so that healing can begin. Healing and change don't begin in fight/flight/freeze.
 | Just think of letting go of a red balloon and watching it fly away free and unburdened. Nothing holds it back. |
Seasons of Life and Letting Go
Letting go also comes with the changing seasons of life. As a mother of adult children in their late 20s and early 30s, I experienced another letting go many seasons ago, and reflecting on the times when my children were small brings a wave of nostalgia - even today. I remember the busy days driving carloads of kids heading to sports practices, the chaos of a messy house, weekends spent at horse events or soccer games, and the endless cycle of preparing meals and doing laundry. That season of busyness has passed, and while I am grateful for those cherished moments, I recognize that my life is in a new chapter with new opportunities before me. Many parents can relate to this experience—the bittersweet nature of watching their children grow up and move on. Embracing the present means acknowledging that while (mostly) joy filled those busy days, they are now part of our past. Just as trees shed their leaves in preparation for winter, they don't mourn summer; we, too, must let go of what was to accept what is going on now. Trying to keep this in perspective helps me appreciate the richness of those experiences while remaining open to and welcoming new opportunities for growth and connection in my current season of life.
Cultivating Gratitude in a World of Negativity
Gratitude can be challenging because as humans we seem to focus on what's wrong. We tend to overlook the things that are going right, which makes practicing gratitude difficult. We might pay more attention to the fallen tree instead of the magnificent forest, or one negative Google review instead of the hundreds of positive ones. Thích Nhất Hạnh, a Vietnamese-born Buddhist monk and peace activist until he died in 2022, offered a powerful perspective on gratitude with his concept of the "non-toothache."
He said,
"When we're having a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing. Yet when we don't have a toothache, we're still not happy."
Instead of looking for something else that is not right, this invitation to practice gratitude for the good things we have, even something as simple as not having a toothache, can help shift our mindset to a more positive one.
Yoga and the Ancient Wisdom of Patañjali
In our yoga practice, we often encounter profound lessons that mirror those found in nature. The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, one of the oldest written texts on yoga (between 1000 - 2500 years old), offers truth that aligns with modern gratitude practices. In book 2 verse 33, (2.33),
The Indian sage, Patañjali states,
"When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite (positive) ones should be thought of."
This ancient teaching reminds us that authentic gratitude is an active, continuous practice—a mindset we need to work on to truly feel it. It doesn't mean feeling happy when bad things happen or dismissing negative emotions. Instead, it involves making a deliberate effort to consciously appreciate what we feel genuinely thankful for in any given moment.
Ways we Practice Thankfulness in Yoga
1. Breath Awareness: We can be grateful even for the simple act of breathing. When we truly focus on our breath - slow, silent and subtle - and leave aside external distractions, we become aware of the tremendous life force within.
2. Heart-Centered Appreciation: As we bring our palms to our heart space, we hold a genuine appreciation for our heart and its constant work, our lungs, and our body!
3. Body Gratitude: Appreciate what your body can do rather than its limitations. In yoga poses, appreciate your strength and flexibility and improving balance.
4. Mindful Observation: Like observing the falling leaves, take time to notice and appreciate our inner landscape's small, beautiful details.
The more we practice on the mat, the more we can take it into our daily lives where we spend most of our time.
Conclusion:
Embracing Change with Gratitude
As we transition into the fall season with its rich colors, we can think about trees as they let their leaves go and gracefully prepare for winter. This approach is healthy for us, and will also enrich our lives with new experiences and more opportunities. Practicing gratitude for even the simplest things can cultivate many "non-toothache moments" throughout our day. This shift in perspective changes what we have into abundance, opening our hearts to new possibilities and personal growth. Remember, letting go isn't about loss; it's about making space for new experiences. As you move through this season, consider what you might need to release to allow for new growth. As you do, take a moment to express gratitude for the lessons learned and the experiences gained.
Join us at Amenia Yoga, in-studio and online, as we focus on gratitude and explore the importance of letting go.
In the meantime, pause for a moment and notice what your senses are experiencing right now and how you can be grateful.