The worship theme for the month of November is Nurturing Gratitude. For me, November is the beginning of a season of change. The weather changes, the value of the morning light is dim, and the days are short. I appreciate these natural changes as a chance to slow and manage my needs. I appreciate the quiet gathering around me.
November changes are personal too – mostly managing how to show up for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays, and all the birthday celebrations through mid-January (we are a family of Winter babies). I've learned to start early and use this time to practice gratitude in the form of extra self-care, to teach myself to take care of my own needs first, to honor my own choices. A few years ago, I think the year my mother died, I wasn't up to celebrating Thanksgiving. It was hard but I learned to say "no thank you" to the family invitation, and to build new traditions for myself. And these years later, though not perfect, self-care is an awareness that comes with greater ease. I am grateful that my self-care practice lets me remain present in each moment, allowing me greater ease and joy.
I wish for you a gratitude practice includes self-care, and that you treat yourself with loving kindness during this season of change.
Kellie Kinsman is Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's intern minister. She may be reached at kellie@ocuuc.org.