Hello, friends. I’m so happy you’re here today!

Are you glad that the page of the calendar has turned? I sure am. October has left so many sweet memories in its wake, but I’m excited to welcome November.

November is such a gorgeous month. I begin to notice just how short the days seem, which triggers “rest mode” in my body. Rest is such an important part of our lives, and I embrace it wholeheartedly. I even wrote a book about it which is releasing in January.

Anyhow, back to November. This month, I’d like to share snippets of thankfulness with you all. While we should always be thankful, November has a way of making me feel nostalgic about it. I’ve likely been conditioned to think this way since we will be celebrating (American) Thanksgiving soon. But the why and how of it really doesn’t matter.

I’m a history nerd, and I love to research different cultures. To the ancient Celts, the new year began on November 1st. Their Samhain (Summer’s End) celebration marked this turning of the year.

It makes sense for the year to begin fresh at the conclusion of summer. Nature has gone to sleep, and is resting for what’s to come. Why not imagine the year beginning at this sacred time as the season’s change?

November can symbolize a fresh start and new beginnings. It’s like a blank slate wiped clean, and we can start to rejuvenate ourselves as it begins.

I’m very thankful for this time of year. It’s nice to know that we’ve made it through the industrious summer, and it’s time to slow down.

And as we slow, why not take stock of our gratitudes and blessings?

Let me begin.

I’m thankful for this beautiful earth that we call home. May we care for it well, and realize that our very being depends on its (thriving) existence.

I’m thankful for this little piece of land that I live on. May I nurture it, and learn how to work in harmony with it during this season.

I’m thankful for my family, and for my role as a wife and mother. There isn’t anything else that fills my heart more than my family. May I show kindness to them each day, and be a beacon of hope and love to them.

I’m thankful for so, so much. This is just a little snippet to welcome November with love and hope.

To be honest, I’m often filled with so much gratitude that I can hardly take it. I’ve made it a habit to silently contemplate what I’m thankful for as I go about my day. I find objects of gratitude everywhere I look. The weave of my beautiful pillow. The light that streams through the window just so. The call of a bird. The feel of my sweater. I’ll be sharing more of these thoughts with you soon.

I hope you have a wonderful November, friends. May we all see the good in this world, and do what we can to make it even better.