Grounded in Gratitude
Because it's a sure thing 🫶
Real talk: Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays, and (because two things can be true) this year I am feeling the least festive I have ever felt.
I have some challenges in my personal life that are making it hard to rally to feel happy and relaxed and joyful. I am overtired. My nervous system is frayed. And there is no quick fix. The only way through is through.
Someday I will look back on this holiday season and think to myself, “Yup, that was the year I was going through it.”
Because I am.
Someday I will be on the other side of this challenging time.
That day is not today.
Someday I will have a Thanksgiving holiday that feels content and peaceful and replenishing.
But this one doesn’t.
I could choose to throw a pity party about all of this. That’s what my brain is telling me to do. My brain is saying, “You’re never going to get there. You’re not capable. Just give up and settle.”
My brain is not an asshole, y’all, I promise. She’s doing her best. She just wants to keep me safe and small and limited and contained. Life is easier that way. And my sweet brain’s top priority is that I survive.
But I am not settling for mere survival anymore. I want to thrive. And in order to thrive, I need to go through some shit. We all do.
Because thriving doesn’t happen by default. It’s a choice. It takes work. It requires risk. In order to thrive, you must first enter the arena. And then you must make the choice to stay.
Stay in it. Stay present. Stay uncomfortable. Stay with yourself.
And stay grateful. Especially when shit is hard. Gratitude is a sure thing—one of the few we have in life.
Leaning into gratitude is the best way through life’s lifey-ness. It’s not always easy to find a grateful path, but I’ll personally guarantee you a smoother trip every time you do.
Instead of: This is all too hard. I can’t do it.
It’s: Thank goodness I am exactly where I am. Thank goodness I am capable of getting where I know I need to go.
Instead of: Why does everybody else get to have a carefree holiday while I’m on the struggle bus all by myself?
It’s: I am so grateful to have surrounded myself with supportive, caring, kind people who are there for me if I need them. I am not alone.
Instead of: Why me? Why do I have to do this?
It’s: Thank goodness it’s me. I am the only one who can do this.
I don’t always remember to practice gratitude. And sometimes I actively choose not to. Because sometimes I just need to have a good cry, or to lose myself for a little while in a book or show or scroll. I’m a woman/mom/human living in 2025, after all.
But whenever I choose or return to gratitude, there she is: ready to shore me up for whatever’s happening now, and whatever comes next. Gratitude heals. Gratitude strengthens. Gratitude builds. Gratitude bonds.
Gratitude is available to all of us, all the time. All we have to do is choose.