Autumn is such a wonderful season. I love that bit of chill in the morning air, crisp apples, the last of the gloriously colored leaves. November ends with Thanksgiving – a day devoted to time with friends and family, too much wonderful food, and in many households, football. And, of course, expressing gratitude.

This got me thinking about the importance of expressing gratitude as part of our daily lives. I’m also becoming more aware of the importance of gratitude in keeping us moving forward and not getting stuck.

When I interviewed Minx Boren, an excellent coach and poet, she was very clear about how gratitude helps shape her day. She sets the stage for anticipating gratitude and positive forward movement by grounding herself and getting silent. She asks one question: “What will make today wonderful?”.  At the end of the day, after once again getting centered and free of distractions, she journals three miracles or special moments from the day. This can be quick – more a list than paragraphs. These two brief activities bookend the day and make us more aware, I feel, of the many things that we can be grateful for. There are so many small things that are wonderful. A beautiful sunrise, the first bite of a delicious meal, small kindnesses like someone holding a door for you or giving you their set on the bus, smiles, and so many wonderful things can go unnoticed. There’s an exercise that asks people to think about a red car. They will go through the day seeing red cars everywhere! It’s the same principle that helps us find happy surprises throughout the day.

This year, I’ve been celebrating small wins. I’m finding it increasingly important to celebrate forward motion both to remind me that I can continue to move forward and that I’ve accomplished that thing that I worked so hard to do.

Celebration holds, for me, a feeling of participation in the good things that come our way. It expresses joy and includes a note of thanks. Thus, I’m not grateful for successes, as large as getting new business, as small as finding my knife sharpener. They represent active participation – hard work – on my part, not random hand-outs. I celebrate all the support and help I’ve gotten to reach the achievement. I celebrate my own hard work.

What’s wonderful in your life this November? What are you celebrating?  Here’s to you!