Most people connect with Thanksgiving as the time of year that makes you feel the most thankful, but I always feel more thankful during Christmas.
It could be the new year approaching, the extended time off from either work or school, or being around family that always has done it, but I am easily reminded about how thankful I am for the life that I have.
Truly happy people can carry this feeling with them all year long.
In this post I’m going to lay out a simple way to be grateful all the time.
Happiness in the Mundane
I remember talking with Nate Damm about how peaceful and grateful he was just to be able to wash his hands when he was walking across America.
When was the last time you were grateful for something that “simple”?
Instead of keeping your head down lost in your to-do list, look up more. View the world around you for the world that it is. Go out in nature and explore. There is a lot to be thankful for.
When Less is More
Carrying around the mindset of “less” versus “more” can lead to a happier life.
Most people always want more.
- More possessions
- More food
- More presents
- More house
- More cars
When you change the need for more into wanting to have less, you can live a simpler life.
- Less stress
- Less clutter
- Less obligations
- Less space to fill
- Less stuff to maintain
Live Minimally
You don’t have to sell all your stuff, travel the world, or live out of a backpack to be “a minimalist”.
The best definition that I have come across is from mnmlist.com:
“It’s a way to escape the excesses of the world around us — the excesses of consumerism, material possessions, clutter, having too much to do, too much debt, too many distractions, too much noise. ”
Think about how you can live more minimally this Christmas and how it can lead you to be more grateful each day.
It can be one of the best decisions you ever make.
Happy Holidays to you and yours. 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Caleb:
Thanks for another thoughtful post. Though we have never met, I consider your visits to me email to be a welcome visit. I am grateful for your wisdom this past year - so thank you and please know I am grateful for you.
Merry Christmas to you, your new bride and all your family.
I look forward to learning more from you in 2012!
Caleb, it’s so easy to forget what Christmas is all about when we have so much to do to prepare. We’re in such a hurry, then all of the sudden we look up and it’s over. Enjoy the moment, enjoy your family, and enjoy what you have. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Caleb, I definitely have a minimalist bent, but at this time of year, it’s so easy to forget these simple principles. Thanks for the reminder. I especially like, “Instead of keeping your head down lost in your to-do list, look up more. View the world around you for the world that it is. Go out in nature and explore,” and the cool photo of Delicate Arch!
I’m a huge fan of the “less is more” mentality. I like this quote from Melody Beattie- “Many ordinary moments, when well-lived, add up to an extraordinary life.” Elegant post, thanks for sharing. oh yeah..Merry Christmas Caleb!