This Thanksgiving, I spent a lot of time outdoors. And by a lot, I mean not just a little bit. This year, that’s just the way you do things. It means change and accommodation. It means interruption and discomfort. And yet it also means innovation and inspiration, imagination and discovery. 

Tradition is borne of repetition. The meaningfulness of doing something significant time after time to mark an occasion be it a holiday, ceremony or other important occasion. But we can confuse tradition with repetition and ultimately diminish the reason why we celebrate in the first place. And it may be that this year, we are annoyed by our restrictions and frustrated by our circumstances. But it does not preclude us from celebrations, it asks for us to shift our perception and understanding of them. 

Our personal wellbeing and joy is dependent upon our ability to navigate the most difficult of circumstances and thrive regardless. It is not just the doing of the ritual but how it’s made in the first place. It is the reason why we do, not just that it gets done. It is the celebration of life in spite of the hardships we are bound to encounter - and how to experience fulfillment each and every day. 

Here are some suggestions to help us navigate the pitfalls of a difficult situation and grow an abundance of wellbeing:

Maintain your equilibrium:  Rework your routines! Do you have a morning practice or a nighttime ritual? Do your routines anchor you and provide a respite from agitation and unease? If not, or if your daily habits are only that - habitual - try adding in practices that inspire a deeper connection to your own health and wellbeing. Walks, baths, journaling, meditation, breathwork and prayer are just the beginning. And then watch this really interesting TedTalk on the power of habit.

Reduce your anxiety:  Experientially, we know that our mind-body practices such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork work to help us reduce our feelings of anxiety and stress. But interestingly, the science behind such practices is still fairly limited. So, how do they work? The authors of this article aim to help explain how such 'contemplative practices’ impact our everyday lives. And then sign up for a class!

Increase your humor:  Did you know that there is actually a practice called laughter yoga? Me neither! But the authors of this article conducted a study in an attempt to define the impact of laughter on the general wellbeing of a group of nursing students (high-stress indeed). Now who needs an excuse to serve up some popcorn and watch a funny movie?

Realign your mind: How do you connect to your purpose? Align yourself with your intentions, not just your goals. But what is the difference? 
With a new year in sight, it is intuitive to begin thinking about how and what we would like to achieve in this next cycle. But while goals are indicative of those desires, our intentions are more a reflection of how we show up in the world in the first place. As the author of this article suggests, "Setting intentions is not necessarily an easy task, but this deliberate and conscious act can help you create the life you want.” 

May we greet each sunrise with gratitude, navigate our highs and lows with tenderness and honor the present in every moment. Let us not be only beholden to tradition, but open to the joy of creating something anew. And who knows? You might find me celebrating Thanksgiving outside next year too...