Find Your Grateful Instead

I hope this message finds you safe and well.

As we inch closer to the end of 2020 and Thanksgiving, its easy to get reflective… and sometimes that can make us think back about so much that has been difficult this year.

COVID, increased social injustices plaguing our nation, extreme differences in political views causing separations in friendships and families like never seen before….it has been incredibly hard and unprecedented.

Many of us will be changing how we celebrate Holidays this year. Our celebrations will be smaller. May be non-existent. May be over Zoom, or virtual.

Different. But still worth celebrating.

We may be missing loved ones from around our table due to what we have faced this year. Or in years past.

Still worth celebrating the love that remains in you. Celebrating memories, at times with tears, and I hope, most times with smiles and laughter at all the good times.

What always strikes me in times like this is how the kindness, strength and goodness that exist in all of us, and the majority of humanity, shines bright. Especially if you look for it.

If you make a concerted effort to find the good? You will always be rewarded.

So while its easy -and understandable- to feel all the negative that is out there right now… I challenge you to Find your grateful instead.

Make a list – mentally or on paper, of all you have to be grateful for. Big and small. All of it. Here is how I do it.

I start when I wake up – and am grateful to have woken up. Grateful for stretching and big, deep breaths.  

Grateful for the running water in the bathroom.

Grateful it isn’t currently 105% outside (I am in FL) and my windows can be open a little….

And I go from there.

It sounds simple. But I have found that it is slowly changing how my mind works, how it reacts to negativity, and stress.

And right now? I am so grateful to count all the big things I have to be grateful for…..and I know it’s a whole lot.

It’s my children.

My husband.

My sister.

My friends who are my family.

My FIS family.

My job being secure during uncertain times.

MUSIC!!

Old movies

Pictures of wonderful past times..… and I could go on and on. I bet you could also. Our lists maybe vastly different but we all have many blessings to count.

If anything, this year has taught us that we cannot take a single thing for granted and so much can change in just one moment.

So find your quiet moment – and remind yourself , of all the good there is. 

I am grateful you took the time to read this.

Stay safe - and be well.