Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays; no, not because of the turkey and stuffing! This holiday provides the opportunity to do some soul-searching and reflect upon what I’m grateful for. Moreover, this special time of year, when people go out of their way to be a little bit kinder and warmer, is a rejuvenating reminder of what we are grateful for all year long.

This year, I focused on how grateful I am for:

• A supportive family, through the ups and downs of life
• Ryan, who has helped me to grow in so many ways and has taught me to look at my glass as always “half full” and never “half empty”
• Good health that allows me to keep up with my 23 year old son!
• The creative, committed, enthusiastic, loyal staff members who work with our children, adults, and their families
• An organization that is always striving to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities through the latest technology, research, programming, and training
• The children and adults themselves, who remind me every day that life is precious

Whether with a gratitude journal or in daily meditations, pausing to give thanks for even the smallest things on a regular basis can have a big impact in your mental health and overall happiness. I’ve started my gratitude journal for the year and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!