Sometimes we lose track in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and succumb to the pressures of juggling our work and families and preparations for gatherings and the entire retail aspect. But in the still of the early morning hours of each day, before the day rushes in, there is time to  reflect, celebrate and be thankful for the many blessings we do have and to recalibrate and remember how blessed we are. We will always have more than some and less than others. Someone will always be better at something than we are and we will always be better at something than someone else is. It’s all a matter of perspective and we can make a conscious effort to focus on the positives, the blessings, the people and dreams and opportunities that make our hearts sing. Because gratitude and aspirations are the first steps to the lives we want. If we can envision a present and future that fulfills us, we are halfway there.  

We live in the richest country in the world and have access to drinking water, food, health care, freedom of speech, education and opportunities that millions of people do not.  If you’re reading this blog, you have probably visited Nantucket and experienced its pristine and unparalleled beauty, and pondered the juxtaposition of its simplicity and casualness and its reputation as one of the wealthiest vacation destinations in the richest country in the world. We have much to be grateful for. 

But as we rush around in search of physical gifts between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, we lose track of the reality that each day is a gift. And what the people who love us most want from us is not presents but our presence. Because in the end, we won’t wish we had one more purse or pair of shoes or watch or toy; we will wish for one more smile or touch, one more shared meal, one more day together. 

Oftentimes, our attitudes determine our happiness. And the practice of gratitude informs our attitudes. So this holiday season, take a few moments to reflect on what and who you’re grateful for.  A sunrise, the sweet purring of your cat, the fresh aroma of coffee, the ability to walk (for me along the shoreline), the people you cherish, the dreams you hold dear, your health and that of those around you, the way everything works for you once you start believing it will. Share your gratitude. Believe in yourself and revel in the gift of each day. 

We at the Martin House are grateful for you!  Thank you for enriching our lives with your presence and for choosing us as your home away from home. As we come to the close of another year, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a healthy and happy 2022.