Happy Holidays… Let’s Start with One Good Thing
Happy holidays!
The busy season began last month, and it continues through November and December. For many people, this is a favorite time of year—a season of gathering, giving, and gratitude. For others, it brings stress, expectations, and a whole lot of “stuff.”
I’ll be blunt: the holidays have never been my favorite time.
I never quite knew how to handle everything that came with them. I know plenty of people who feel the same way, even if we don’t always say it out loud.
For a while, I simply wanted to stay away. And sometimes, I did. I still take a backseat when it comes to family holiday plans, and that suits me just fine.
But I’ve learned something about myself: when I carry my stress into a gathering, other people can feel it. Sometimes, my frustration gets in the way of enjoying what’s right in front of me—and it can affect their enjoyment, too.
I wanted to change that. I began by changing what I paid attention to.
There’s a saying: “Where your attention goes, your energy flows.” I think of it this way: what I focus on influences what I notice.
If I’m looking for pressure, inconvenience, or disappointment, I can usually find it. But when I pause to look for something I appreciate, I often find that, too.
The pressure may still be there. So might the good.
Research suggests that gratitude practices can support emotional well-being. For me, the most meaningful change has been learning to notice the small things I might otherwise rush past.
A quiet cup of coffee. Someone making me laugh. A moment outside. A kind word. Something that went right in a day when plenty went wrong.
It can feel easier to replay what irritated me than to pause over what I appreciated. That’s why I practice. I want gratitude to have a place in my everyday life, rather than waiting for Thanksgiving to remember it.
So, play with me this month.
Write down one thing you’re grateful for every day.
Use a journal, a notebook, or email me. If it’s a great day and you find five things, write all five. If it’s a hard day, one small thing is enough.
And if you miss a day, begin again. We don’t need to turn gratitude into another holiday obligation.
Most mornings, I do a meditation that includes time to focus on gratitude. I’ve also noticed that when I journal in the evening about what went right that day, I sleep better. The next morning, I remember those moments and bring them into my meditation.
Then something interesting happens: I begin looking for more of them during the day.
I’m learning that abundance can include things I already have but forget to appreciate: time to breathe, a connection with someone I love, or a moment of peace.
I can appreciate those things and still want parts of my life to change. Both are true.
This November, I’m making room for gratitude, one day at a time.
Play with me this month.
What is one thing you’re grateful for today?
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