Giving Thanks To Being Alive

If this unprecedented year has taught us anything, it’s to make peace with the fact that nothing in life is promised. We can have aspirations for the future and intentions for how we’d like everything to unfold, but it can all be upended within seconds by circumstances outside of our control.

Today, in the United States, Thanksgiving will be unconventional on several fronts. Many of us are forced to stay away from our friends and loved ones, breaking year- and even decades-old traditions. Yet, how we respond to adversity like this is always within our power. We can choose to feel morose and put our heads down, as tempting as it may be at times, or we can venture on with grace and gratitude.

Today and throughout the year-end holiday celebrations, we will be forced to discover new ways to feel connected to those we care for and adore most, despite not necessarily being in their physical presence. We should be most mindful of gratitude, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, optimism, togetherness and sacrifice in these fragile moments while allowing our behavior to reflect and manifest our words.

While many of us will not have the unique opportunity to share physical space with those we love and appreciate, we can still express to these individuals just how much they mean to us. Let’s celebrate and cherish people while we can. Acknowledge people while we can. No matter our longevity, life is precious and finite. Never miss the chance to show those you love, admire, and appreciate that we care.

While there is a ton to be thankful for each day we awake, we can often get so consumed by yesterday and worried about tomorrow that the blessings and beauties of the present slip right out of our grasp. In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let’s cultivate moments to disconnect and reconnect with ourselves, our breath, our friends, our family and our loved ones.

Realize that today we have the gift of life. What we think, how we respond and the manner in which we live is within our control. While we’ve undeniably been confronted with unimaginable feats and obstacles as individuals, we can still harvest the fortitude to rise above, learn and evolve from these experiences. We still can practice the power of giving thanks.

And for that, this self-discovery journey called life is still worth showing up and fighting for.

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