Give Thanks!

This time of year is a great time to give thanks and reflect on the people in our lives, our talents and our varied experiences. I have been working on waking up each morning with a thankful mindset and this has really improved each day. It also has the ability to reframe a situation from a problem to an opportunity. A perfect example, is running my children around town as their chauffeur. This year, as my oldest now drives I no longer have that opportunity to have those unexpected conversations in the car on the way to soccer practice. This has helped me to appreciate the time I have with my other kids driving them around. I realize these moments are limited and when I am mindful and thankful, I appreciate them so much more than just seeing them as a chore.

Another skill is to be thankful for our bodies and minds. I am an avid exerciser and have always love running. As I get older, I have more injuries and nagging pains. It helps me to utilize a mindset of "I can do this", I am strong" and "I can run". It seems silly but these phrases and self talk can really boost us and also encourage us. As I finish a run, even if I am not as fast anymore or run as far, I am thankful I can still run and that I have the opportunity to do this. I also am thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn in my field. There is a great network of supportive therapists. We support and challenge each other to be the best therapist, always learning and growing. My daughter's teachers encourage the growth mindset in her class. I love this concept and have also challenged myself to continually grow and learn.

I am also so thankful for my clients and their families. I have the unique ability to share their stories, their grief, their despair and their growth. This is truly a blessing and I appreciate and am thankful that they let me in their hearts and their lives. I encourage you to accept this challenge of being thankful each day for something or someone and see how it impacts you.