I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It has always been my favorite holiday because of both its simplicity and its focus on gratitude. As I get older, I find that gratitude is foundational to my emotional and spiritual well-being, as I continue to discover the truth of this quote from David Steindl-Rast, "The root of joy is gratefulness. It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful."

As the intensity of the holiday season ramps up, I am realizing that I will need to be more intentional about focusing on gratitude as the foundation for joy and happiness. Another quote, this one from Thomas Merton, will also help guide my choices over the next month: "Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony."

I invite you too to be intentional about how you navigate the holiday season. How will you practice gratitude and create a rhythm that enhances balance and well-being? Part of the intensity of the holiday season comes from the cultural message to buy and do more, which, if we are not mindful, can create feelings that our lives are lacking in some way. A focus on gratitude for what we already have is perhaps the best way to maintain our emotional, relational, and spiritual balance this time of year.