Finding Gratitude in Uncertain Times
Thanksgiving Journals to Honor the Earth and Its Stewards
In these weeks post-election, I’ve found myself caught in a loop of rumination—dwelling on what has gone wrong and imagining all that might go wrong. As 2024 winds down, many of us are just grateful to have made it through another turbulent year.
The American tradition of Thanksgiving, despite its fraught history, offers a moment to pause and reflect. Sharing a meal, connecting with loved ones, and grounding ourselves in gratitude can be a quiet act of hope. In a season often centered on consumption, let’s shift our energy toward appreciation—for the planet, its people, and the small moments of joy that sustain us. Gratitude journaling has been a lifeline for me. It reminds me to shift my focus—not to ignore the challenges but to anchor myself in the beauty that still exists. This week, I’m inviting you to join me in a gratitude practice that goes beyond the usual “what went well this year?” exercise.
Let this exercise prime us for the fights ahead. Let it root us in our cause. Let it help us to find beauty in the present. This isn’t about glossing over the hard truths; it’s about finding a spark of light to guide us forward. Gratitude isn’t just a practice—it’s a strategy for resilience.
Gratitude Journal Prompts
Nature’s Bounty: What elements of nature are you most grateful for this year?
Gratitude in Community: Think about the people or communities working to protect the planet. List them and mentally thank each in your mind.
The Gifts of the Season: List the natural resources that make your Thanksgiving meal possible. How can you honor those gifts through mindful choices?
Acts of Stewardship: Reflect on a time when you helped care for the Earth. How did it make you feel? Can you thank yourself for showing up for the planet?
A Vision of Thanks: Envision a thriving planet 50 years from now. What are you most thankful to see?
What’s grounding you in gratitude this year?
Let’s hold space for these moments together in the comments.
Winter Soltice Gathering
Brooklyn, New York
Dec 20th | 6:30-9 pm | Atrium82
$20 OFF until DEC 1 w/ Code EARLY20
Join us as we celebrate the return of the light and honor the Earth’s rhythms on the longest and darkest night of the year. Together, we’ll embrace the stillness within the motion of life and mark this powerful moment when Nature’s breath is suspended.
The Winter Solstice reminds us that within the darkness lies the seed of light. Through ceremony and reflection, we’ll nurture this spark within our hearts.
This guided evening includes:
✨ A light dinner, mocktails, & herbal tea
✨ Ceremony to honor Earth’s cycles
✨ Space for reflection, sharing, & community connection
✨ Live music to inspire the spirit
✨ Gentle, grounding movement
All genders are welcome—bring friends and loved ones to share in this meaningful experience.
Happy Place is your go-to guide for aligning your mindset, intentions, and actions to tackle climate change with purpose and positivity. Written by Lindsay Nunez, this empowering resource shows how small, meaningful steps can create a big, collective impact. Discover how to embrace optimism, champion eco-conscious habits, and sustain your personal well-being—all while making a real difference for our planet. Let’s save our happy place together!
A nice spin on traditional gratitude journaling. Wish I could be at the solstice festivities.
Love this so very much, and desperately wishing I could join you on December 20th in Brooklyn, sounds like pure magic that I very much need.