Here are nine of the best quotes I have found to remind me of all I have to appreciate this holiday season and why they resonate with me. They are my gift to you at the start of this holiday season, because I know when we stop focusing on what we don’t have and focus and be grateful for what we do, we are happier. I have experienced it and social scientists have verified it time and again.
The key to happiness, the experts say: Purpose, Community and Faith. How each of us defines these three is highly personal and very different. But I know this, I wish each of you happiness this holiday season, and every day.
So here are ten quotes that help remind me of how lucky I am. They speak to my purpose, by community, my faith, an gratitude for all I have. I wanted to share them with you without getting too preachy, as a reminder to observe everything around you, big and small and try to find the joy in it. Recognize the people in your life who bring you pleasure, lift you up, light your way. Be grateful now and every day, no matter how little or how much you believe you possess.
Grace brings hope; Excuses make you feel hopeless. – Ruth Soukup
If you are not familiar with Ruth and her multitude of successful businesses, you might enjoy getting to know her. Start with her journey from hopelessness to joy, how she overcame her fear, disclosed openly in a ted talk. This quote is part of a list she shared that I printed and keep close by my desk, to remind myself that gratitude begins with giving myself some grace, some forgiveness. No one is perfect, and I need to remind myself to laugh off mistakes and keep moving forward in my purpose, be it my charitable work, caring for my cats, or writing romance.
When I fall off the grace bandwagon, I rely on friends and family, on community, to help me dust myself off and get back to work.
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. – Alfred North Whitehead
I have built my writing career on the backs of experts who have trained me, family and professionals who have aided me, and readers who have supported me. I have editors like Emerald Edits and Shortcuts for Writers. What would I do without Nicole and Stacy to improve my books with loving care and positivity. I have courses from brilliant people like Nick Stephenson, David Gaughran, Dave Chesson and Savannah Gilbo.
How lucky can I be?
I am happy because I’m grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy. – Will Arnett
Everyday I get to write what I want, when I want. And I am so fortunate because not only do I do something I love, I also produce something that others enjoy. I still love the characters in my Beguiling Bachelor series even seven years after I created them. They are friends who join me in my writing efforts everyday, like little elves on my shoulder as I create new imaginary friends.
I am fortunate, and I am happy, and I promise, I am not insane.
I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude. – Brene Brown
People constantly ask me where my inspiration comes from. My answer is the same as many authors I know: inspiration is everywhere. I carry a small notebook, keep another beside the bed, another on my desk, to write down things I see, hear, experience, that might make a great scene or offer witty dialogue in an upcoming book.
This skill comes from paying attention, and enjoying the small moments happening around me all the time. Open your eyes, and ears, if they have been shut, the world is a multitude of stories, and pleasures.
Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. – Marcel Proust
Every day I sprint (write together via Zoom) with outstanding writers who are also extraordinary people. And they are friends, although we are scattered across countries and continents. Because of them I am more productive, more confident and I have tons more fun.
What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude. – Brene Brown
With all the discussions about privilege in the last few years, I found this quote particularly meaningful.
I was raised with a great deal, and I know it. My sisters forged the way for me, role models for getting involved, getting an education, making friends. For every time they told their pesky little sister to go away, they taught me valuable lessons, let me play dress up with them, danced with me.
I was fortunate beyond belief, and I am grateful every day.
Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Random acts of kindness are not a small thing. Big acts are even better. If you are fortunate enough this holiday season, donate your time, your ideas, or your money to those less fortunate. I do this year round by serving on the board of Mental Health America of the Northshore (MHANS.ORG) but also with food and clothing drives. I pay special attention to requests for winter coats, which make such a difference here in Chicago.
Consider supporting a local soup kitchen, consignment shop that helps women in shelters who need clothing or more. You help the environment by recycling your discarded goods, and others in need. Think twice before you buy a fancy coffee. Could that money feed someone hungry?Don’t discard old furniture or clothes, recycle them.
Social scientists have found that the fastest way to feel happiness is to practice gratitude. – Chip Conley
Trust me, I know that things are less than perfect in the world today. Things are difficult, even scary. It’s hard to practice gratitude, to find happiness. But the sunrise outside my window was glorious this morning, and after a week of frigid temperatures, it will be nice enough for a walk today. Small things for which I am grateful.
Find the little things that bring you joy. Hopefully, my novels are included on that list. Because, as I said when I began this post. I appreciate you all, and I want you to be happy.
Being grateful does not mean that everything is necessarily good. It just means that you can accept it as a gift. – Roy T. Bennett
As I said at the beginning of this post, it is not about what surrounds you, it is about appreciating what surrounds you, be it people, a glorious turkey dinner, friends, family or a welcoming church, synagogue or mosque.
I lived away from my family for many years, for decades in fact. Each thanksgiving was spent with people I considered my adopted family, my family of choice. This included the women who have inspired my All’s Crazy in Love Series, as well as characters yet to find their way into my novels. They were coworkers, neighbors, strangers who became friends. And each holiday we gave thanks for having each other present. We could have chosen to feel lonesome, frustrated that we couldn’t travel home to family, but instead we chose to feel lucky.
Many of those people remain friends, members of my family of choice. How fortunate am I to have them in my life?
I listed nine quotes intentionally. Can you share your favorite in the comments below to round it out to ten?