Season of Gratitude — Finding Strength, Purpose, and Home in My Pack

“A quiet moment with my soul dog, Hot Rod — the heart behind my why.”

There are seasons in life when we run nonstop — pouring into work, pouring into others, pouring into purpose — until one quiet moment reminds us to finally stop and breathe.

This weekend, surrounded by my pack for the first time in months, I had one of those moments.

A moment of stillness.
A moment of truth.
A moment that reminded me why I do what I do — and who I do it for.

Last night, as I was winding down in bed with my pack, mindlessly searching for a show to watch before drifting off to sleep, I had a revelation.

A realization, really.

I am tired because I deserve to be tired.

And not from burnout… but from joy.
From gratitude.
From returning home — truly home — for the first time in months.

As I lay there, I looked at my calendar and realized something shocking:

It has been since the end of July that I’ve had a weekend at home.

Over three and a half months of nonstop movement.

A fall memory with Hot Rod — one of our simple, joyful adventures together.

My pack has been so patient, so understanding, so forgiving during this entire stretch. The nights they spent without me here…the moments they watched me pack my bag…the times I told them, “I love you, I’ll be home soon,” even when “soon” kept stretching farther away.

And wow — just wow.
It truly IS amazing how we, as humans, can show up again and again when we’re following a purpose-driven, soul-fulfilling path.

No wonder my brain has been telling me:

Slow down.
Recharge.
Come home — mentally, physically, and emotionally.

This season is asking me to rest, reconnect, and breathe in the quiet moments with my pack. And I’m finally able to listen.

This, right here, is all part of self-growing, learning, doing, becoming.

I LOVE what I do — don’t get me wrong.
But as a self-funded solopreneur, it’s up to me to show up and go up. My dogs rely on me in every way: physically, emotionally, and yes… financially.

My work matters more to me now than it ever has — especially after the two-year transitional stage that followed being pushed out of a toxic job. Looking back, that wasn’t a career. It was a stepping stone. And I am truly grateful that door closed, because it led me to the one that was meant to open.

This morning, waking myself at 5:30am with my dogs curled lovingly beside me, I felt it deep in my bones:

This is the life of an entrepreneur doing what she loves.

I started my day in joy.
I gazed at my dogs with the purest love.
I kissed their heads and told them how much they mean to me.

THEY give me the courage to keep going.
THEY give me the energy to do what I love.
THEY give me the purpose to keep pursuing this dream.

Because these moments — right here, right now — are everything.

Being able to take this slow-down time… being able to work from home at night… being able to rest in my own safe space with my pack… I treasure it more than words can express.

This morning, walking into my kitchen, grabbing my water, making my coffee, and stepping into my office to face the hefty to-do list I intentionally saved for today — it all felt right. It felt aligned.

Because this weekend, I needed to recharge.
And today, I got to begin the week full of energy, clarity, and gratitude.

Yesterday’s conversation with a business coach lit up even more lightbulbs for me. More clarity. More systems. More confidence that I’m building something deeply meaningful.

I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.

In this season of gratitude and joy, there is nowhere else I’d rather be than here — recharging with the ones I’m most grateful for in this life.

They are the ones who make my house a home.
My family.
My children I did not birth.

They are the ones I must always come home to.
The ones who would miss me if anything happened to me.
The ones who give my life meaning, hope, and unconditional love.

My dogs make me a better human.
My dogs make me whole.

My dogs make my WHY bigger than the months I spend without a single weekend at home.

In my pack, I find strength.
In my pack, I find purpose.
In my pack, I find the motivation to keep showing up — again and again — with love.

Closing Reflection

As I move through this season of gratitude, I’m reminded that the life I’m building isn’t defined by how busy I am — but by the love, purpose, and connection that fill the quiet spaces in between.

My pack grounds me.
My mission fuels me.
And the balance I’m reclaiming is part of honoring both.

If you’re reading this, I hope you find a moment this week to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the ones who make your world feel like home. ❤️

About the Author

Tracy Rosenberg is the founder of Legacy of Love Professional Dog Training & Pet Services, inspired by the life and legacy of her soul dog, Hot Rod. A professional trainer, multi-dog mom, and heart-led entrepreneur, Tracy helps dogs and their humans build connection, confidence, and partnership — one moment at a time. When she isn’t training or caring for her clients’ dogs, she’s at home recharging with her beloved pack, who remain her greatest teachers and her biggest why.