It’s that time of year when everyone tells us to be grateful, give thanks and show appreciation. Sometimes when we are feeling down, stressed, overwhelmed, or short on time this can feel daunting and forced. It is very hard to feel gratitude when negative emotions are running the show. However, allowing ourselves to find glimmers of hope, moments of joy, or simple appreciations can completely shift our attitude, emotional experience, and outlook.

The idea of failure is a theme that has been emerging within my practice and in my own life. Failure is part of the human experience, and the fear of failing often propels us to keep moving forward. Over this past year, failing seems like a prerequisite to living. The pandemic has tested every one of us, creating challenges that we could never have expected. I have seen so many individuals tackle these obstacles head-on, but amidst this struggle comes deep feelings of failure.