It’s November, and Thanksgiving is one week away. As we approach next Thursday, gratitude should be top of mind, but sometimes we’re just too busy. There are so many distractions and so much noise in our lives. Politically, we’re more divided than ever, and the news is filled with things like impeachment, shootings, and hurt.

So in this moment, as we approach a day of gratitude, I feel like I want to help pull each of us (myself included) out of that negativity. Being intentional about our actions and decisions lives at the core of the Depth Not Width movement, and so I want to help all of us be intentional about our gratitude.

This weekend, I’d like to invite you to do this exercise with me. Very intentionally, make a list of 100 things you have to be thankful for. Hearing that, creating a list of 100 things may seem like a massive task. The point of this exercise is that not everything we’re grateful for has to be big. Sometimes, taking the time to notice the little things creates the most impact.

Need a little nudge? Add things like this to your list:

Moments in your life that changed you

Moments in life you’ve shared with others

Family, friends, and relationships

Your challenges and struggles (these make you stronger)

Gifts you’re received

Opportunities you have

The future and all its possibilities

Food, shelter, and health

A stranger who shared a smile

I created a simple worksheet that you can download and use to create your gratitude list. I’m going to use the same worksheet this weekend, and am asking Cristina and the twins to use it as well. I hope it’s a helpful catalyst for each of you as well.

The Takeaway

Gratitude in our lives is a choice. It requires some intention. It’s way to easy to get distracted by the noise and negativity. As we transition into next week and prepare for Thanksgiving Day to arrive, let’s make gratitude more than just a one-day event.

I’m thankful for each of you reading this today… – John