I'm coming to you a day early so I can hit your inbox before you head off for the holidays!

On that topic, I wanted to talk to you today about gratitude.

It's so easy to let life get us down. Especially when you're around others who have a negative mindset, it can be easy to forget all the things we have to be grateful for.

When you express gratitude with regularity, you:

• amplify the feeling of happiness

• are generally more positive

• enjoy your experiences more

• make connections with those around you

• feel joy and satisfaction

• improve your health and wellbeing

A 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences showed that grateful people experienced fewer aches and pains and reported feeling healthier.

When expressing gratitude before bed, you sleep longer and better (link).

I could go on and on when talking about the benefits of gratitude.

So how do you live more gratefully? Here are a few ideas to start on the journey of gratitude:

1. Begin a gratitude journal. A journal is a great way to reflect on today, but also gives you a record to see that no matter what you're going through, there is always something to be grateful for.

2. Create a daily habit. Either when you wake or right before bed, think of 1-2 things you have to be grateful for. Then, record it on a calendar or app or however you may.

3. Reframe your present. This means stopping when you start to feel down and asking yourself: what do I have to feel grateful for? There will always be something.

4. Take a deep breath. This goes along with number three and is great if paired together. A breath is a great way to pause and rest your headspace.

5. Tell those around you you love them. We don't tell those around us how much we appreciate and love them. Be more giving in that verbal praise. It'll do good for you and them.

Living in gratitude is a daily choice you make.

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I have spent some extra time thinking about all the things I have to be grateful for.

1. Our baby boy Karsten. After 7 years of infertility, we've finally gotten to experience the joy of a child. We're overjoyed and overwhelmed!

2. My Podcast. The podcast is why I started this newsletter and something I'd always wanted to do. I finally did this year and it has been such a joy to get to produce and make on a weekly basis.

3. My Job. I've been blessed with a stable job when so many aren't. It's easy to hate on a 9-5, but they can provide stability and the ability to chase other things without risk.

4. Health. COVID-19 made us all reflect on this, but I also had a back injury in 2020. I didn't know if I would ever be the same, but slowly I've gained confidence and been able to get back to working out.

5. Our House. We bought our house in 2016 and have been working on it ever since. Other than a few small projects, we've completed our renovation. I'm thankful for the process, but also thankful for the blessing it has been to host friends in a comfortable space.

6. Everyone receiving this email. When I started my podcast, I chose to promote on Twitter, which then led me to starting this newsletter. I'm thankful you've trusted me with your email inbox.

In this week's podcast, I talk about the financial reasons we have to be grateful, as well as tell the story of Thanksgiving. You can listen to it here.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

PS. I'll be sending out a promo email on Friday. Be on the lookout!