Give Thanks

Hanging on my wall is a simple canvas that reads: Give Thanks.

Beneath those bold words, colorful images peek through—like stained glass. They reflect the everyday blessings that shine into our lives when we’re paying attention. Meals shared. Friends gathered. Dreams served. Goals reached. Grace received.

This reminder invites me to slow down, to notice the goodness woven into ordinary days — not just on holidays set aside for gratitude, but every day. Gratitude isn’t something we practice once a year around a table. It’s a posture, a lens, a way of moving through the world with eyes wide open to wonder.

That doesn’t mean we ignore what’s hard. We notice the stalled progress on important initiatives. The strained conversation with a colleague. The overwhelming inbox. The unspoken tension on a team. The quiet griefs and disappointments that live alongside the joy.

My long-time friend, author and psychiatrist Curt Thompson MD, often shares a powerful practice: begin each day by naming your laments—what feels broken, stuck, or unresolved. Then, close the day by recording your gratitudes—what brought light, what reminded you of hope. These reflections can be both personal and professional: A delayed project finally crossing the finish line. Your teen’s unexpected hug. A donor’s encouraging email. A moment of clarity in a tough decision.

This rhythm—naming both lament and gratitude—does more than just steady our hearts. It shapes how we lead. It keeps us grounded in reality, attuned to possibility, and anchored in what matters most. Gratitude builds resilience. It deepens trust. It clarifies what’s working, and reminds us we’re not alone in the work.

So today, and in the days ahead, may we be the kind of people—and leaders—who pause, notice, and give thanks.

What are you grateful for right now?