Food for Thought

As the year slowly draws to a close, the days begin to shrink sooner than most of us are ready for. By 5 o’clock, the sun's already set, leaving ourselves to wonder, “Is it already bedtime or has the day just slipped away too quickly?” 

Leaves that once clung to their branches drift to the ground, shedding their silky green coats for shades of rust orange, amber, and crimson, leaving us to find a crunch beneath our feet. The air grows crispier with each passing day. Pumpkins, once wearing big, cheerful smiles, now turned upside down and rotted as the Halloween season passed us by. Christmas lights and decorations begin appearing just a little too early, heralding the next season before the last one has fully passed. 

In the middle of all these shifting scenes comes November. A month some celebrate, some feast, and some let it pass on by. 

Although Thanksgiving’s origins are complex and not without heaviness, each year we learn and take from our pasts, honoring those before us. In doing so, we reshape how we give and receive, creating our own traditions rooted in respect, gratitude, and community. A tradition that gathers us around tables overflowing with food and connection. 

Every day, we are reminded of how easy it is to lose sight of what we already possess. We spend so much of our lives reaching for the next step and the next version of ourselves that we overlook all small certainties that sustain us. 

Gratitude is one of the simplest emotions we can feel, yet it can be a tricky one to fully grasp. At times, we may not know where or how to direct it.

Seek a space where thoughts and feelings can roam freely for yourself and for others. Where the journey and the sense of community matter far more than the final outcome.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to amplify the voices of others and give back to a community that means so much to so many through something as small, yet meaningful, as writing. Much like Start 1 Spark opening its arms to give kids the chance to explore and discover activities they love, I want everyone to feel welcomed and valued for exactly who they are when reading these monthly blogs. After all, what kind of world would it be if we were all the same? It’s each of your individual stories, backgrounds, and voices that truly make a community. 

And now I ask you: What ways do you give thanks? 

Take a moment to think. Gratitude is nothing big. Sometimes simply being thankful that the sun came out today is enough. 

As the holidays continue to intertwine itself around our lives, I hope you find something fulfilling (perhaps even something a little “full-filling.”)

Spend time with your family, kids, friends, pets, whomever belongs in your life.

Every single day offers something worth appreciating, not just the holidays. And, like the leaves that shift with the seasons, take time to consider the changes you’ve made, the progress you’ve achieved, and the growth that still lies ahead as the world continues to turn.