Writers Corner: November 2024 Edition

Enjoy this throwback post from Thanksgiving eve 2020! Happy Thanksgiving!

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I’m feeling lots of different things. There’s no need to overshare or get into too much detail here; those who are privy, know the story already. However, as always I feel a sense of commitment to share what’s relevant and encouraging when possible and appropriate. 

I am fully aware that Thanksgiving and the holidays in general bring about a myriad of emotions and that’s particularly true in 2020. It could be full of grief, anxiety, emptiness, exhaustion, confusion, fear, or other difficult emotions. It could also be full of humility, reflection, joy, perspective, hope, love, or other sentiments that may be more welcome. Or perhaps the dichotomy doesn’t resonate with you and you’ve felt a bunch of things in between, across, and together.

Regardless of what you’ve been sensing, I think we can all agree that a lot of complex challenges have transpired, we still have a long road ahead and that these past few months have brought about a heightened awareness, and an increased need for reflection. I think we can all agree that there is so much that is worth savoring, appreciating, and acknowledging. I know that many of us believe that there is power in kindness and empathy. In that spirit, I’d like to share a few reflections that I hope can provide some encouragement.

1. Perspective makes a difference: when we start to focus more on what we have rather than what we lack, we realize that there is so much to be grateful for.

2. Love is powerful: love shows up in so many ways and sometimes comes from underestimated or unexpected sources, but its impact is unmatched and empowers us to do so much more than we imagined.

3. Kindness goes a long way: simple acts to benefit others that come from the heart always have the potential to shift energy and change someone’s world for the better, whether we see the end results or not.

4. We are only promised today: make each day count, for each moment matters and we don’t have any guarantees about the next one. 

5. Embrace your truth: no one else can do a better job of being you, and there’s freedom in showing up fully for your life, all of it—so be you to the end.

6. It’s been a year to remember so far, that’s for sure. I know I’ve learned, grown, lost, gained, stretched, and savored all the same. So, my simple advice during this season, and always, is: try your best to recognize the good that you already have, it will do your heart a lot of good, and by extension, those around you might be better for it.