For the last few years, I’ve had a little morning ritual on Thanksgiving. I wake up in the morning, make myself something warm to sip on and I break out my journal. And I write down everything I am grateful for.

 

I totally believe that Thanksgiving is the perfect day to take a little inventory of what’s really happening in your life – big things, ridiculous small things & lots of medium ones too – and practice an attitude of gratitude. It’s time to take a lil pause before the year ends to look at the year as a nice slice of life.

 

Of course, I write about the good things, but also the struggles, the things that didn’t come easy or the things that seemed negative or bad at the time – but looking at them as a whole, I’m able to see that those lessons learned were always part of a much bigger plan.

 

It’s always an enlightening, humbling & uplifting day.

 

So, tomorrow will be that day. There are a lot of lessons I hope to take into the next year and frankly the rest of my life. An in honor of my Thanksgiving ritual, I want to share a few of the most profound lessons I’ve learned – and my wish is that at least one thing you read below will be exactly what you needed today.

 

• Love is the literally, the most important thing. Learning to give more love to yourself and out into the world. I want you to wake up and begin your day with the question- what can I do today to lift or encourage or love on myself and someone else? Instead of immediately picking up your phone, reading your emails and texts, and thinking about everything that is on your to do list or how much stress you have. It’s so much more about learning to see every situation with love instead of fear. To wrap yourself and others in love, as much as possible, in a true and genuine way. If I had to pick the single most profound lesson in this last year, this would be it.

 

• Fear sucks. Literally. It sucks the life right out of you. It is the vortex center of all things negative in this world. And I know it doesn’t feel like it in the moment, but the fear we feel isn’t even real. I mean, unless you really are being chased by someone with a knife. We literally make up situations in our head, assume the worst possible outcome, and get completely paralyzed/stressed/anxious because of it. From a totally made up thing! I love the saying, “Feel the fear, and do it anyways”.  I honestly can’t think of a single thing that this doesn’t apply to. Fear usually comes when we embark on a new path, but if you let it dictate your actions, it makes it really hard to grow or move forward in life. I am convinced that the more you push through fear, the happier, more successful, more brave and confident you will be.  And the more amazing your life will be.

   

• Change is always a good thing. It means you are moving forward and although it can be downright scary and unknown—the best route is always forward. When I look back on the times that I felt the most paralyzed and stuck, so scared of change – whether it was ending a relationship, leaving a bad work situation, moving to a new place, or starting a new business – those things have all ended up being the most rewarding and best choices I’ve made. Mostly because all of those choices opened up so many other new possibilities.

 

• Cultivate your non-negotiable’s! What daily or weekly actions make the biggest difference in you how feel? Is it drinking enough water, eating greens with every meal, having a date night with your partner, amazing sleep, time in nature etc. How can you automate the behaviors that have the biggest impact in your life, so that everyday isn’t a free for all?

 

• Always listen to what your body is saying. Your body does not make mistakes and it is wiser than you will ever be. Start by eating real food and you will be so much more in tune with your body! Don’t rationalize or justify. If something feels off, or your body is struggling with illness, digestion problems, sleep problems – it’s time to pay attention. When something is not right (in your relationships, at work, etc), your body will let you know. Don’t ignore it.

 

• Ask for help and more guidance when you need it. It’s not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of complete self care and self awareness. Have a daily or weekly time to connect to God, or the universe, or the energy and nature around you. Pray, meditate, chant, do yoga. Whatever it is that makes you feel connected, grounded and happy.  Loosen your grip on life and trust that you are being guided in the right direction, at the right time.

 

• Surround yourself with people that inspire you, have good energy, encourage and celebrate others – and let go of the relationships that do not serve you. These rich, supportive, inspiring friendships will allow you to be your best self and put amazing work out in the world.

 

And now, I would LOVE to hear from you! Have anything to add to this list yourself? Or thoughts on any of the ones I mentioned above? Comment below! And as always, I am so grateful for you and this beautiful community we are creating. Be happy, be kind and most importantly be thankful and thrive this Thanksgiving!

 

With LOVE + gratitude,