As thanksgiving 2020 approaches, the idea of waking up in a festive mood can seem a daunting task.
The leaves may have turned to beautiful hues as the brisk fall mornings beckoned the return of pumpkin spice everything, but being thankful amid the 2020 news cycles feels more difficult than ever before.
It's not uncommon to feel alone in overwhelming negativity.
Perhaps your isolation is induced by fears of the pandemic. Maybe it's from feeling ostracized after encountering a politically entrenched individual who's forgotten in their zeal that society developed our political system as a means to mediate our differences in advancing our humanity and not as a tool to destroy it. (looking at all political parties these days).
Alternatively, it could be from a simple lack of meaningful work while the mundane becomes overwhelming, and that's why now more than ever, we need to align our focus on being thankful.
"Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day." – Dalai Lama.
With each news day bringing further negativity into our lives, it's important to remember this truth spoken by the Dalai Lama.
We all know when someone has woken up on the wrong side of the bed, and no one wins on those days. By starting your day on a positive note, you're taking control of the world around you and how you'll respond to the further challenges that come your way.
So whether it's the daily COVID update or concerns about the "other side" as the election draws near, it's critical to focus on including positivity into your daily routine.
There are few better, more seasonally appropriate ways to align your mind to the positive things in your life than to reflect on what you're thankful for, be it family and friends or accomplishments and milestones at work or in hobbies.
So, what are you thankful for today?