“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~William Arthur Ward

Dear Universe,

You already know I’m a fan of reading lists and making lists.  So here are a few things about me—Thanksgiving edition.

1.  For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving has been my favorite time of year.  I like that it’s not a religious or gift giving holiday.  It’s just centered on one of my favorite things to do: give thanks.  I love that it’s the one time of year I know my whole family will be together.

2.  I believe in practicing gratitude daily and I do—for the big things down to the miniscule things that we can so easily take for granted.

3.  I’m a fan of tradition.  Every year I make a point on Thanksgiving to write down everything I am most grateful for.  Next to each person or thing on the list I always write why. For the past couple of years I have been making these gratitude lists much more often.

4.  I have passed on this tradition to my students.  Each year, during the last class before Thanksgiving, I ask them to take time to silently write what they are grateful for and then share anything they are comfortable with out loud.  It’s probably one of my favorite things they do.  This year students even thanked me for having them do it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day, whatever the traditions may be.  And I hope everyone takes the time to give thanks—out loud or on paper.  I’ll be sure to do both. 🙂

Because no matter what, there is always something to be grateful for.

Much Gratitude,

A