Sometimes we take the most precious things in our lives for granted: our health, our families, the air we breathe. If you’ve ever kept a gratitude journal, you probably quickly realized how much there actually is to be grateful for. Once you start paying attention, the things to be thankful for become endless. Studies have shown that gratitude can improve sleep, reduce depression and anxiety, and even support heart health. Life in the North isn’t the easiest life, and probably most of us, at one time or another, have thought about moving away … but if we really look around us, I think we’re pretty darn lucky to call this life and this place our home.
Here are five things about life in the Yukon that I’m feeling thankful for this season:
The Silence
In a world where noise pollution is becoming evermore widespread, silence is becoming a luxury. Nothing beats stepping outside on a cool autumn morning and hearing only the wind in the last golden aspen leaves, the gentle waves hitting the shore of the lake, and the last few geese flying south overhead.
There aren’t many places left in the world like this. Our planet has become filled with overstimulation: the noise, the screens and the unceasing influx of information. Constant noise leads to constantly elevated stress levels. It’s not a coincidence that silent retreats and noise-cancelling headphones have grown in popularity, that various trains around the world now have “quiet cars” and that there’s even a barbershop in San Francisco that offers “silent mode” haircuts. Several years ago, the Finnish Tourist Board came up with a marketing campaign that drew attention to what they called one of their best natural resources: silence. I think the Yukon stillness could give the Finns a run for their money. Whether you enjoy it on a mountaintop, in your sauna or under a starry night sky, take a deep breath and consider how many people on Earth very seldom get a moment of silence.
The Wildlife
If you’ve lived in the Yukon for a while, close encounters with wildlife have probably become rather commonplace. We’ve all had our run-ins with bears and may even have lost a shoe or two to a mischievous neighbourhood fox. Despite the fears or annoyance that these encounters with wild animals can trigger in some people, I consider it a privilege to be able to share this land with these creatures, big and small. What a gift to be able to witness a moose cow and her calf wandering through the yard or to watch a tiny chipmunk nibbling on a ripe red raspberry. We get to see eagles catching fish in the lakes, and otters playing on the banks of rivers.
As with any sort of cohabitation, for it to be harmonious there needs to be a certain amount of respect from both sides. We are not gods here; we are only a tiny part of our complex ecosystem. Some places on Earth have become almost devoid of wild animals, while here in the Yukon we get to hear the slap of a beaver’s tail, while paddling out on the water, or we may need to slow our car down as a porcupine waddles across the road. We are fortunate enough to live with animals that others only dream of someday seeing.
The Water
Crazy changes are taking place around the globe, and for many people, clean water is becoming even more scarce than a moment of silence. Only a small percentage of the water on Earth is freshwater, and of that, an even smaller part is accessible and drinkable. Seeing the Yukon from the air, you quickly become aware of the abundance of the freshwater we’re blessed with. Drink directly from an ice-cold mountain stream, on a hot summer day, and you’ll begin to understand what a gift this is. Whether you like fishing, kayaking, swimming or sailing, it’s all possible here. Water is life. May we always remember to take care of it.
The Land
We may not live in the fresh-fruit capital of the world (and a trip to the supermarket can quickly become very expensive), but we have so much nourishment around us to be thankful for. Whether it’s a fresh-caught lake trout, a cup of fireweed tea, some grilled grouse, potatoes from your garden, a comforting bowl of moose stew or some homemade cranberry sauce, this place we call home feeds and sustains us. And not only does it tend to our physical needs, it also does wonders for our hearts and souls. Where else can you find so many wild places to draw inspiration and healing from? This land holds and nourishes us and we get to be surrounded by its natural beauty, all year long.
The People
Living even in the most gorgeous place might feel empty if you didn’t have anyone to share it with. Whether it’s a friendly chat with the woman ringing up your groceries at Wykes Independent Grocer, or a helping hand from good neighbours, the Yukon still manages to instill a sense of small-town warmth and community on most days. In general, people here still treat each other like humans. If you’re pulled off to the side of a deserted gravel road somewhere, it’s not uncommon for a dusty pickup to stop and check if you need help; and people still share the rewards of a bountiful gardening season or a successful hunt, with each other.
No place is perfect, but a little bit of gratitude can go a long way to make us remember how lucky we are, despite the imperfections.
What are you feeling thankful for?
