It’s been a tumultuous year — pandemic, wildfires, election politics, and more. This past week hit especially hard at home. We work for an electric utility, and Tropical Storm Zeta caused the worst damage in our company’s 82‑year history. We lost sleep, faced angry comments on social media, canceled a camping trip, and skipped Halloween.

Through the stress, I reminded myself it could be worse. The chaos was temporary. If I held on a few more days, life would settle. Today, it finally feels like that moment.

We still need to clean the yard, fix a roof leak, repair the ceiling, and catch up on housework. Even with lingering stress, I feel thankful. No one was hurt. Our company pulled together to handle overwhelming damage. My dogs stayed by my side while I worked at the computer, keeping customers informed. My coworkers looked out for each other, reminding us to eat and take breaks. And I’m grateful I could manage all of this from home while we continue remote work during the pandemic.

I believe our thoughts shape our well‑being and how we treat others. With that in mind, I’m launching a Thankful Thursday campaign and sharing this free PDF.

Each Thursday in November, write down what you’re thankful for. Gratitude doesn’t need to be profound — it can be as simple as dogs at your feet while you work. Print copies, involve your spouse and kids, and make it a family habit. If you want to extend it year‑round, this Daily Gratitude Journal will help you and your family practice your gratitude together. View all of our journals here.