As I get older, I become more aware of the beautiful tension the holidays can usher in. I hope this morning meets you with a fresh sense of hope as you allow the supernatural beauty of Thanksgiving to cozy up in your heart. But if today is hard for you, how can you too experience the joy of this day? How can you be thankful if you're missing someone around your table this year? I think the key is to practice thankfulness not just on Thanksgiving. Make thankfulness a habit. And start today!

Every night at dinner my husband and I pray over the meal and say "thank you" for our blessings that day. This practice may seem dated or just unnecessary but the power it draws is real. This Thanksgiving my brother of 33 years is missing from my table. Words can't describe the grief associated with this reality. My heart is broken and will be broken for a while. But as I look around my table, as I observe my many beautiful friends and family members in my life, I can't help but feel thankful. Practicing Thanksgiving not just on Thanksgiving has very real and powerful effects.
A heart can be sad and thankful at the same time. Our circumstances are ever changing but our perspective on our circumstances can become a practice, a thankfulness practice. The important thing is to remember how simply powerful existing is, being able to wake up in a bed, making friendships, smiling and hugging relatives, enjoying a meal, are all gifts. Blessings and gifts that must be noticed. What do you need to notice and give thanks for today? I need to notice the air going in and out of my lungs, trees outside my window, sipping my coffee and spending time with the people I love. Thankfulness opens up the happy well spring of our hearts and restores the corners that may be hurting. Thankfulness reminds us how good things are always looming around the corner. Thankfulness is refreshment to the soul. Thankfulness turns on the lights inside of us. And when our light is turned on we become beautifully, strong, unstoppably-powerful people!

Homework: Write a letter to one person you wish to say thank you to. Someone who has stuck by you through it all. Someone who reminds you that living is a gift and that your light will change the world!

Love,
Molly