Gratitude Practice Series: Baseball

There’s a growing body of research that shows how practicing gratitude can increase our overall well-being, reduce stress, and even improve our relationships. Gratitude isn’t about comparison or perfection. It’s about noticing what’s right in front of us and letting ourselves feel the good in it. It often comes from simply being in the moment.

This month, I’m feeling grateful for baseball.

Baseball wasn’t always a big part of my life. My relationship with baseball started in 2011 when my soon-to-be husband shared his passion for the game with me. His family has always loved baseball, and over time, that love became something we shared. We’ve since brought my family along for the ride and now baseball games are part of their story too.

The MLB All-Star game earlier this month invested an unprecedented amount of resources into crafting a touching hologram display of an iconic historic baseball moment. Featuring one of the game's greatest and most humble players, this powerful artistic creation captures the raw energy and human emotion that baseball can stir in all of us.

One of the things I love most about the game is its rhythm. There’s something calming about how it moves, steady and unhurried. Then, out of nowhere, something amazing happens. A home run. A perfect throw. A player stealing a base. That sudden burst of energy and excitement pulls you into the moment in a way that feels really alive.

There’s actually research that speaks to this feeling. Scientists have found that experiencing moments of awe, those times when we witness something that stirs us or feels bigger than ourselves, can help us feel more connected and even more generous. Watching an athlete do something incredible with precision and grace can bring that sense of awe, and I’ve definitely felt it in the stands.

But more than the game itself, I’m grateful for what it brings. Time with people I love. Memories that come back when I hear a stadium crowd or the crack of a bat. A reason to pause and be fully present.

This July, I’m grateful for baseball. For the way it slows us down and brings us together. For the awe, the laughter, and the long summer evenings that stay with you long after the game is over.

If anything's been standing out to you lately—something simple or unexpected—I’d love to hear what you’re feeling grateful for too.

This post is the first installment of a series on gratitude and appreciation. Sign up for email updates to get them delivered straight to your inbox each month. Learn more about Leah and Sage Behavioral Health by clicking here.