I know it sometimes feels like the world is upside down. Like there’s a constant barrage of political unrest, acts of terrorism, inexplicable shootings, heated allegations. Like reason is fleeing and darkness is winning.
But if we truly attract what we focus on, then the onus is on us to change the conversation. So don’t tell me about what you fear, or what you hate, or what upsets you.
With the Thanksgiving season upon us, tell me instead about what brings you most gratitude.
Tell me about your passion, about what excites you, about what gets you out of bed every morning.
Tell me about your first love, your first kiss, the first time your heart was broken and what you learned as a result.
Tell me about your family, your best friends, your pets.
Tell me your favourite stories about your kids. Try to limit it to ten, but if you go over, that’s ok too.
Tell me about the times you laughed so hard that your cried, or peed, or almost stopped breathing.
Tell me about your favourite places in the world, your favourite foods, your favourite colours.
Tell me about the stuffed animal or soft blanket you finally stopped sleeping with when you were 12, even though you never forgot its name.
Tell me if you love coffee and wine as much as I do, and why.
Recount for me the stories of the sunsets that took your breath away, the mountain climbs that wholly attuned you to nature, the ocean breezes that caressed your skin.
Share with me your moments of greatest triumph and the obstacles that didn’t stop you from reaching your goals.
Celebrate with me the things that make you happy and fill your heart with joy.
I’m not asking you to ignore the pain and suffering in our world, or pretend it doesn’t exist. I am asking, however, that we spend more time and effort giving thanks for the countless perfect moments in our lives. If we want to change the social narrative, we need to pay closer attention to the stories we’re telling.
So share here and now all the things that light up your life. I’ll start, in the comments section. I so hope you join me. Thank you.
One of my favourite memories of recent years was a time I was hanging out at my aunt’s house on just another weekday night, when one her friends showed up to visit. Coincidentally, the friend had brought her son–who just happened to be a concert pianist. Her son, in turn, decided to invite one of his friends over–who just happened to be a Broadway singer. Which is how we were treated to an impromptu private concert headlined by some serious talent. I just remember listening to the music and singing, and thinking that magic is real.