3 ways to live a thankful holiday season

By Karli Larson, TisBest Charities and Communities Manager
Thanksgiving is approaching with haste. What are you thankful for this year? Although many of us can quickly assemble a mental list of things we’re grateful for, it’s another thing entirely to live that gratitude every day. Here are three ways to live a thankful holiday season that are sure to help round out your year in a positive, meaningful and wonderfully thankful way.

1. Speak 
“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” -Rumi
When was the last time someone told you how much they appreciate you? Do you remember how it felt to be recognized, even in a very small way? Each of us works so hard to do our best and contribute to the world each day, and although we hope our efforts are noticed the feedback we receive is so often negative. We hear what we should fix, not what we’ve done well. Do your part to change this. Make an effort to notice and speak aloud your gratitude for the work and presence of those around you. You’ll be amazed by the power your kind words hold.

2. Act
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.” -Mother Teresa
We don’t have to perform grandiose acts in order to make an immense difference. Sometimes even the smallest things can have the biggest impact. Vacuum out your spouse’s car, read that extra bedtime story or arrive at Thanksgiving dinner with a thoughtful hostess gift. Do something extra to show your love and support for your friends, family and colleagues. Imagine how different your life would be if everyone you knew did a little something extra for you each day? Be the catalyst for this change in your life.

3. Reflect
“We begin to find and become ourselves when we notice how we are already found, already truly, entirely, wildly, messily, marvelously who we were born to be.” -Anne Lamott
Take some time each day to look back on the year you’ve had. Can you believe all the marvelous things you’ve accomplished? You are kinder today than you were a year ago. You are stronger today than you were a year ago. You are braver and gentler and even a little bit more flexible. You’ve grown so much and tried so hard. Perhaps you’ve made some glorious mistakes, but at least now you’ve got some good stories to tell at parties. Every day you are living your life, and you are doing such a wonderful job. Remind yourself of this each day. You are exactly who, where, and what you are supposed to be. Maybe tomorrow you’ll do something different. Maybe not. Your future is unwritten and it is full of immense possibility. And that is truly something to be thankful for.