Hello My Beauty,
This season of Thanksgiving is all about holding on to an attitude of gratitude while all hell breaks loose in your kitchen or your dining room as families and friends come together to share in a feast of love. It’s one of my favorite times of year.
The breaking of bread is one of the most ancient traditions we all share. And… it’s also one of the most vulnerable. Our hearts are open wide or held tightly closed, depending on the circumstances surrounding our family ties.
Facing our fears, facing our families, can sometimes be very challenging. It can also be exhausting, even when you’re tickled pink to see everyone.
That’s why I’m proposing that, starting today, you think about this season of gratitude as a marathon in practicing fierce self-compassion and care. How on earth do you run 26 miles without stopping? You practice, you train, you get into the best mind set and physical state you can muster. You take lots of deep, slow breaths. You turn to your Source and surrender the need to be right, knowing that all is well and that this too shall pass. AND you grab your can of gratitude and spray the giddy stuff all over the ugh, and ick, and uck. Perception is half the battle ~ or rather, half the healing.
My Lovies and my Beauties and my Red Lipstick fans, in this season when it seems like everything is about everyone else ~ who’s coming to dinner, who’s not, what to gift them during the forthcoming giving season… give to yourself.
Give yourself time and space. Take extra long, hot showers. Eat REALLY good food that tastes amazing and fills you with nutrients and earthly goodness. Go on long walks. Smell the rain, or let a snowflake melt on your tongue. Whatever it takes to help you feel loved and cherished and appreciated by you.
So, in light of my Gratitude with Attitude Red Lipstick REBOOT, I’m sharing again: How To Write a Gratitude Letter. I truly believe this process of intentional appreciation ~ the writing of it and the sharing of it with someone special to you ~ is not only profound (for them and for you), but magical. And in this season of magic, why not invite in as mush glitter and sparkly love as you can?!
AND ~ repeat the process, only this time, write a letter of thanks to yourself from yourself.
This gift you give yourself, will change the way you see who you are. It will deepen your self-appreciation. It might even ratchet up your patience and compassion when you do sit down to break bread with those you love.
Have fun with this process. Cry if you need to. Be as authentically truthful and kind as you can. This letter of gratitude is for you and you alone.
And, if it’s too hard to write it to the you of today, write your letter of gratitude to your younger self. After all, they were paramount in getting you to where you are today. Alive and loved and living your best life, minute by minute, day by day.
However you choose to share your gratitude this season, know I love you and appreciate you.
It’s my wish for you that the breaking of bread this season be blessed with love, and grace, and peace, and healing.
Happy November!
With my greatest appreciation for Who You Are
and for All That You Do!
As always,
In love and in joy,
Shannon
PS Go to my Instagram, @shannonleehorn, where I’ll be sharing more as Fall gives way to Winter… although, here in Central California, ‘winter’ can be a hot, glorious day at the beach!
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