I just finished Amelia and Emily Nagoski's powerful book Burnout: the Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. The authors include a section on expressing gratitude as a way to relieve stress. While the idea isn't revolutionary, their explanation of its benefits resonated strongly with my pandemic-weary heart. The key, they write, is the connection that expressing gratitude creates between people. Their definition of gratitude is less about material posessions and more about moments that move us and the people who participate in them. I could keep a journal of of "Things I'm Thankful For", but if no one ever read it, then what purpose would it serve?
Right now we need to connect with others more than ever. This is not simply because we are physically separated from friends and family. On a global scale, our empathy for others and willingness to change our lives in the name of a greater good will save lives.
2020 is finally over, and I've got a whole year's worth (if not more) people to thank for helping me through it.
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