Letter from the editor
The Thanksgiving holiday centers around family gatherings and gratitude. We see the reminders in stores, on Facebook and around our Thanksgiving tables. This year, though, I have been thinking about what gratitude looks like on the ordinary days in between.
For a long time, I thought gratitude was a feeling that came naturally when something good happened: a beautiful day at the beach, good news about a loved one or a moment when everything seemed to fall into place.
Over time, I learned that practicing gratitude asks something more of us. It means making a conscious decision about where we place our attention. That choice has changed how I experience daily life.
I can wake up thinking about everything I need to get done and immediately feel overwhelmed. Or I can pause and appreciate that I have another day, people to love and meaningful work that helps provide for my family. The responsibilities are the same, but they feel a little better when I begin with that perspective.
Running a small business gives me plenty of opportunities to practice choosing gratitude. There are always demands, decisions and things to worry about. It is easy to spend so much energy on what needs fixing that I overlook what is already good: the people who care about Shore Local, the relationships Bob and I have built and the privilege of telling our neighbors’ stories.
Those stories often bring me back to what matters. Each issue reminds me how much good happens here. People volunteer, support struggling families, open businesses, or quietly help someone through a difficult time. Being able to share their efforts gives me plenty of reasons to be thankful.
The same opportunities exist at home. A sink full of dishes can mean another chore, but it can remind me of a meal shared with people I love. An afternoon walk can become a chance to admire the changing leaves instead of wishing summer would return.
Of course, knowing this and putting it into practice are two different things. Some days, the worries take over before I even realize it. But when I pause to notice what is good, this perspective becomes more natural. What begins as a conscious effort can grow into a habit and, eventually, a way of approaching life.
I notice the difference in how I feel and how I treat the people around me. Everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated. Gratitude means more when we express it. The people around you feel it and take notice. This usually puts them in a better mood too. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be around happy people.
Still, there are losses and worries that no change in perspective can erase. We can miss someone deeply and appreciate the love they brought into our lives. I try to hold on to both truths when I think about my son. I miss him constantly, and I am thankful I got to be his mom and know his love.
Living with that loss has made me more aware of how much the ordinary moments matter. I know how quickly life can change and how deeply we can wish for one more day with someone we love. It reminds me to appreciate the people who are here and to tell them so.
As I write this on Election Day, I am also thinking about the things we share as a community and a country. Despite our divisions, I am thankful for the opportunity to vote and have a voice in choosing our elected officials. With Veterans Day approaching, I am especially grateful for the men and women who have served our country and for the sacrifices they and their families have made.
As November unfolds, I want to do more than count my blessings on one day. Gratitude is a way of life, not a holiday.
Peace & Love, Cindy
