Hey there Reader,
Celebrating the Small Things
As we come to Thanksgiving, we’re all encouraged to reflect on the big things in life—family, home, comfort—and feel grateful.
But today, I want to go deeper. I want to invite you to pause and consider the small things. The moments we often overlook, even though they are the threads that weave our lives together.
For those of us navigating the chaos of midlife, with all its uncertainties, losses, and changes, it’s easy to get lost in the enormity of it all.
Burnout creeps in when we push ourselves too hard to figure out what’s next, how to cope, or how to fix things. And before we know it, we’re so consumed with the big questions, we forget the small moments of beauty that are right in front of us.
This time of year, we often sit down with family or friends and say what we’re thankful for. But what if we stopped waiting for this one day to do that? What if, instead, we made space to celebrate the little moments that carry us through the heavy days?
What I know to be true is that those small moments—the ones that slip by if you’re not paying attention—are the ones that matter most. Maybe it’s the joy of curling up with a good book, the quiet in the early morning hours before the world wakes up, or the way your dog greets you when you walk through the door like you’ve been gone forever. Those small things, they hold the real power.
And for many of us, who’ve spent years running on empty, trying to keep up with all the expectations and demands, we’ve forgotten how to recognize them. We’ve trained ourselves to look for the big things, thinking that’s where meaning lies. But life is in the details, and the more I’ve learned to slow down, the more I realize that it’s the simple, everyday moments that keep me going.
Savoring the Present
I’m writing this from the middle of nowhere, sitting in the quiet, while my husband is cooking for us after a long day in the woods.
Our dog Murphy is curled up beside me, and in this moment, everything feels right. Not because of some grand achievement or milestone, but because we’re just here. Together. Breathing in this time we have.
There’s an incredible peace that comes when we stop trying to control everything, and instead, we just let the moments unfold.
I know this deeply: life can change in an instant. The people we love, the moments we cherish—they don’t last forever. And as much as I’d like to cling to every beautiful second, I know I can’t. What I can do is be fully present. I can choose to recognize the sweetness of these moments as they happen, instead of looking back with longing after they’re gone.
Be present in all things and
thankful for all things.
Maya Angelou
3 Points to Ponder:
- What are the small, everyday moments you’re grateful for?
Take a minute to think about it. Not the big things, but the little moments you might have rushed past today. What small things brought you comfort, joy, or even just a moment of ease?
- Are you living in the future or the present?
Are you so focused on what’s coming next that you’re missing what’s happening right now? What would happen if you allowed yourself to slow down and really feel the moment you’re in?
- What would change if you gave yourself permission to celebrate more?
What if you didn’t wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful? What if every day you paused to recognize the gifts already in your life? How might that shift the way you experience your days?
Living in the Moment
Here’s the thing: we live in a world that teaches us to chase big goals, big dreams, big accomplishments. And yes, those things are important. But the true magic is in the small, almost invisible moments. It’s in that first cup of tea, the feeling of sunlight on your face, or the way the air feels crisp in the fall. These are the moments that will hold you up when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
You don’t need to have all the answers right now. You don’t need to control every outcome or have your life perfectly figured out. What you need is to give yourself permission to be here, right now, as you are, and find gratitude in the simple fact that you are breathing, that you are alive, that this moment is yours.
Come Back to Yourself
This Thanksgiving, I challenge you to not just focus on the big blessings in your life, but to lean into the small things that make life worth living. Stop rushing, stop pushing, and give yourself space to recognize and appreciate the ordinary moments.
If you’re ready to go even deeper and reconnect with the parts of yourself that feel lost in the overwhelm, I invite you to join me in my Wellness Through Transition program. Together, we’ll work through the burnout, the uncertainty, and help you create space to breathe again.
You deserve that peace. You deserve to feel whole, grounded, and alive in the life you’re living now.
.
What’s Coming and what is available:
- 90 minutes private session on “Life By Design” – a laser coaching session to hone in on your top priorities and create clarity and a blueprint for success.
Staying Connected
As always Reader, if this has value for you drop me a line and please share this with anyone who you think may be interested.
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With love and gratitude,
Marianne
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