November is here, and as we head into winter’s cold weather and holiday planning, it can be easy to give in to stress. The days are short and cold, your uncle is impossible to shop for, and plane tickets have never been more expensive. How do we hold onto gratitude and joy, and actually get in the spirit of the season?
It seems cliché to say “appreciate the little things,” but slowing down to be fully present in the moment is a real skill to develop. In The Book of Delights Ross Gay practices just that, examining the worlds of meaning and joy in the most mundane things. This is a great book to read, and you can even channel it into a practice of your own, writing down a “delight” or small moment each day.
Meditation can be an intimidating thing to attempt, conjuring visions of silent retreats and long periods of focus and sitting completely still. Start small, with a 5-minute meditation to ground yourself and escape the hustle and bustle of the year-end season.
Finally, giving back is a great way to express gratitude and keep perspective of how lucky you are in your life. SCOJO New York grateful for how many of you have helped us raise money for the H Foundation through our special H Foundation frame. So far your purchases have allowed us to make generous donations to support this cancer research.
Already picked up the H Foundation? Or maybe purple just isn’t your color? Don’t worry, for the months of November and December, we’re letting you give back in any style you want. Sitewide, we will be donating three percent of profits from all sales to Coalition for the Homeless.
What do you do to stay grateful during this hectic but joyful season?