Gratitude: The Key to Ending the Year with Purpose

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Well, hello, my valued listeners, and welcome to another episode of Living in Your Power.
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I'm your host, Marlene Greenleaf.
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And today, as we step into the final month of the year and the heart of the
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holiday season, I want to talk about something that holds so much power.
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Gratitude. This is a time when many of us are reflecting on the past year.
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It's been a year full of highs and lows, challenges and triumphs,
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and for me personally, moments of growth and deep reflection.
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So as we gather with loved ones or take time to ourselves during the holidays,
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gratitude gives us the strength to reflect, to heal, and to prepare for what's ahead.
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So in this episode, let's dive into what it means to end the year with a heart
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full of thankfulness and to step into the new year with intentionality.
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I want to start by saying this. Gratitude is not just a feeling. It's a practice.
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When we take time to express thankfulness, whether it's for the big wins or
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the small victories, it changes how we see the world and how we move through it.
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This year I've faced some of the most difficult storms
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in my life from my husband's transplant surgery
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and his complications to the loss of my father the loss of friends anxiety from
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the election results yes and
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the lack of expected support in the workplace but even in those moments,
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I've found peace and strength through gratitude.
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I'm grateful for the family and friends who supported me, for the quiet moments
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when I felt God's presence, and even for the challenges that taught me resilience.
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Gratitude reminds us that no matter how tough life gets, and it will,
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there's always something to hold on to.
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A lesson, a memory, or a blessing we didn't even realize was there.
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As we close out this year, I want to encourage you to take a moment and think
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about what you're thankful for.
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Write it down or say it out loud. Or share it with someone who's been part of your journey.
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Now let's talk about reflection. The end of the year is such a perfect time
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to pause and look back on everything we've experienced.
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What did this year teach you? I mean, what moments brought you joy?
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What challenges helped you grow?
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So, sometimes we're so focused on what went wrong or what we didn't accomplish
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that we forget to acknowledge how far we've come.
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Maybe this year wasn't perfect. And let's be honest, no year ever is.
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But there's beauty in the imperfect moments too.
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I mean, for me, this year has taught me about strength, faith,
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and the importance of prioritizing self-care.
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I've learned to be present in the moment and to appreciate the small things.
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Like the warmth of a cup of tea, which I'm just learning to drink by the way,
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I'm not a tea drinker. I don't like anything hot.
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But I'm learning to drink a cup of warm tea and to appreciate it.
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Also the comfort of a kind word or the peace of a quiet walk or jog.
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So what about you?
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I want you to take some time this week to think about what this year has brought into your life.
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I want you to celebrate your growth, honor your challenges, and carry those
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lessons with you into the next chapter.
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As we reflect, it's also the perfect time to think about how we want to step into the upcoming year.
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Are you ready to close this chapter and embrace a new one? I mean,
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what are your intentions for the year ahead?
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Remember, this is December. We have less than four weeks left before we start
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a new chapter, a new year.
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For me, this isn't about setting resolutions or goals that feel overwhelming.
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It's more about taking small steps, small intentional steps to live in alignment with your values.
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Ask yourself these questions.
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What do I want to carry with me from this year?
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What do I need to leave behind?
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And how can I live more authentically and intentionally in the year ahead?
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For me I want to carry forward the
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lessons of resilience and peace I've
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learned over this year I want to step in
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into 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and a heart that's open to growth
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and new opportunities and I want to continue to focus on gratitude not just
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during the holiday season but every day. So what about you?
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Maybe it's about embracing self-care, reconnecting with your passions,
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or simply being kinder to yourself.
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Whatever it is, I want you to take this month to set your intentions and start
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planning how you will live them out.
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As we wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with this.
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Gratitude is the foundation for a life well lived.
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It shifts our perspective, brings us closer to the people and moments that matter,
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and prepares us to embrace what's next with open arms.
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As this year is quickly coming to a close, I want you to focus on what we're thankful for.
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Reflect on how far we've come and step into the new year with the intention
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and purpose, with intentionality and purpose.
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I want to thank you for being part of my journey and for allowing me to be part
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of yours. I am deeply grateful for your support, your kindness,
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and the time you spend with me here on living in your power.
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So until next time, dear listeners, I want you to continue to live boldly in your power today.
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And if it gets tough, remember to just breathe. You still got the strength to rise.
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Continue to live in your power. Happy December.