Thanksgiving 2020: What is there to be thankful for?

Sometimes during difficult times it can be hard to see what is going well or what there is to be grateful for. When you are in a place of turmoil, struggle, uncertainty and frustration it can be challenging to switch your mindset and change your perspective. It is important to recognize the struggle and process the feelings you have. Pretending things aren’t difficult does not help.

I do believe, however, that while you are going through a challenge, you can still feel grateful for things. You can be upset about something and still have a positive outlook. You can be stressed about a situation and still be hopeful. You can be angry and still see the what you are happy about. You can be mad at someone and still love them.

This Thanksgiving week, it is okay to be upset that you may not be able to gather with family and still be grateful for the family you have. You can be sad that mom’s apple pie or stuffing or turkey will not don your dinner table and be glad that you have enjoyed these dishes in the past. You can be missing someone you love and still be grateful that you have them in your life. You can miss the past traditions of a large family gathering around the table and shift towards celebrating in a different way such as Zoom or Facetime dinners with loved ones.

I am grateful for so many things this Thanksgiving season. I am grateful for my family, my job, my wife, my dog, the apartment I live in, my friends- old and new, the lessons I have learned in 2020, my physical strength, my emotional intelligence, my ability to empathize with others, the team I coach, the clients I am fortunate to coach and the life I have created. Yeah, 2020 has been a challenging and difficult year in so many ways AND I am grateful for so many things.

So I ask you, what are you grateful for?