The holidays are upon us! As we all find ourselves preparing for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast with our family and friends, I’d like to reach out to everyone with limitations, disabilities, and trauma to say you’re not alone. This is a time of year when families are celebrating and beaming with laughter and cheer. While many are connecting with loved ones they haven’t seen in some time, others may be volunteering to help less fortunate people. However, this year, yet again, we all find ourselves in uncertain times because of the pandemic and loved ones we celebrated with in years past may no longer with us. For those who are new to our lives with disabilities, they are now adjusting themselves to the holidays in a different manner.

In other words, disabilities or not, we all have the ability to be thankful this holiday season. It’s just a matter of finding and embracing that goodness and allowing it into your hearts and souls. To help encourage gratitude, here are some quick tips for the holiday season everyone can benefit from:

1. Set a goal to express gratefulness each day

2. Practice mindfulness by recognizing each challenge you’ve overcome

3. Respect and appreciate all who bring joy into your life (and return the favor!)

To everyone who has a loving family to share another memorable holiday season, take the time to be mindful of each and every person, to hug, to listen, and to laugh with as you all create new moments in time to reflect upon through years to come.

To those who may find themselves alone through the holidays, if all you’re able to do is share your thoughts with yourself, think of things that are worthwhile. Reflect on improvements you made in your recovery this year. Focus in on the happiness, confidence and maybe some of the independence it brought you at the time and use those thoughts to fuel you toward new goals and achievements. Whether we recognize it or not, for those of us who are disabled we get to appreciate what it means to be thankful more than most because we’ve been given a second chance to live our lives. Volunteer to share those thoughts and feelings with all who will listen, and I’m sure you’ll find the hope and inspiration you provide will lift many hearts and bring forward the reasons why we celebrate during this time of the year.

To all my military brothers and sisters, to all my friends with limitations, disabilities and trauma, and to all my other friends and family, I am wishing everyone the very best through the holidays this year.

Blessings to each of you!