This year...

as we rush toward the holidays, the time seems to be going faster than ever. There is the overwhelming feeling of constantly having to play catch up just to stay in the same place! It can be exhausting! In the midst of all this hustle and bustle at the start of this November, I was struck by just how important it is be full of thanks. All too often, Thanksgiving day only serves a small reminder once a year for us to remember what we're grateful for, when really is it so important to remember how much we have everyday!

Author Melody Beattie sums it up perfectly, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

This has inspired me, as I hope it will you to move forward practicing gratitude. Practicing gratitude, while seemingly tedious at first, has been found by multiple studies to be linked with more creativity, a healthier immune system, and even a stronger heart! It can strengthen your relationships with spouses, family and friends. Practicing gratitude can bring focus onto priorities and help you thrive.

Even though it may seem like this week has been particularly hard, or you are not where you want to be, or that no one else could possibly have it worse than you do, it is important to stay grateful. Because whether it is as big as the new job offer you just received or simply the fact you were able to get out of bed this morning, everyone can benefit from practicing gratitude everyday.

A Place to Grow is thankful for our opportunity to offer our services to the community while learning and sharing these experiences with everyone we meet! What are you thankful for?