Before we enter the ho ho ho season of presents, we celebrate the season of thanks and gratitude.

Gratitude can only be felt in the moment.

Gratitude requires our presence.

The beauty of Thanksgiving is this requirement that we remain present to the day, the meaning, and to the people around us.

We focus on what is. Our attention is on today. Yesterday recedes into the background and the future is put on hold.

But, you may be thinking, I’ve had a rough year and I’m not feeling very grateful. I get it. I’m sorry if this has been one of those years for you.

However, gratitude is independent from troubles, disappointment and heartache. We can be grateful for what we have and upset over a situation. We can be grateful for all the good in our lives and disappointed over how an event unfolded. We can be grateful for the loving people in our lives and still feel heartbroken over a loss.

Here’s a list of gratitude items to get you started:

• A roof over your head.

• Plenty of food 24/7.

• Good health, and if not, good medical care.

• People who love you.

• People you love.

• Enough money.

If you’d like more suggestions, here are some of mine:

• Creativity.

• Books, books, and more books.

• Non-human family members.

• Technology.

• Veganism becoming mainstream.

• Amazing clients.

• Work I love.

• My beautiful office.

• And last but not least, becoming a grandmother on August 29, 2019. Pure joy. (Photo above of me holding Haley when she was four hours old.)

So, this Thanksgiving let your wackadoodle uncle do his usual rant, smile at your passive-aggressive cousin who masterfully compliments and insults you simultaneously, and thank your parent who tells you your haircut is “interesting.” They’re predictable. No need to get upset. Just smile and let it go.

Stay in gratitude.

Stay present.

That’s where joy lives.

Happy Thanksgiving.