The Courage to Be Present
A Thanksgiving Reflection
A Thanksgiving Reflection
Most years, Thanksgiving arrives with a familiar script: gratitude lists, thankful hearts, and the chorus of “remember what truly matters.” But beneath all of that is the truth that this season pulls us in a hundred different directions—emotionally, mentally, and physically.
The commute.
The preparations.
The family dynamics.
The deadlines we’re trying to squeeze in before the year ends.
And the invisible pressure to “show up happy,” even when part of us is tired, stretched thin, or quietly anxious about what comes next.
This year, I’ve been thinking about something braver, and far more necessary:
The courage to be present.
Not perfectly present.
Not endlessly cheerful.
Just here—imperfect, scrappy, and human—in this moment, in this season, in this one version of ourselves that exists today.
Why Presence Feels Hard
Neuroscience tells us something interesting: in moments of uncertainty or emotional intensity, the brain leans toward prediction—scanning for threats, planning for future outcomes, replaying old memories.
It’s efficient.
But it’s exhausting.
And during the holidays, that part of our wiring goes into overdrive.
We’re anticipating how conversations will go.
We’re managing the invisible emotional load.
We’re trying to control outcomes.
But here’s the truth:
The more we try to control tomorrow, the more disconnected we become from today.
Presence, then, becomes an act of resilience.
A conscious decision to interrupt the loop of prediction and choose the moment in front of us.
Presence Is Not Passive, It’s a Strength
Presence isn’t sitting quietly at a table pretending everything is fine.
Presence is:
Sensing when you’re getting overwhelmed and giving yourself permission to take a breath
Choosing not to repeat old patterns when family dynamics get tricky
Letting the moment be what it is, not what you think it should be
Allowing yourself to feel without judgment
Realizing this isn’t the past, and you’re not that version of yourself anymore
This is emotional maturity in action.
It’s a grounding skill, a leadership skill, and a relational skill.
And it may be the most powerful gift you bring into any space this season.
Small Anchors for a Season That Moves Fast
If presence feels abstract, here are gentle anchors:
Return to your senses: a warm drink, the smell of spices, the rhythm of a conversation.
Slow your breath: box breathing (4 seconds in, 4-second hold, 4 seconds out, 4-second hold)—a great way to reset the nervous system.
Take micro-pauses: before you respond, before you react, before you assume.
Name what you’re feeling: don’t judge it, just create space around it.
Let things be imperfect: it’s not perfection that creates connection, it’s authenticity.
Presence isn’t a performance.
It’s an intention.
A Thanksgiving Without the Pressure
I always talk about abundance mindset, gratitude, and optimism.
But it’s also a good time to remind myself:
You don’t need to feel abundant all the time.
You don’t need to feel grateful on command.
You don’t need to force the holiday into a Hallmark moment.
Instead, you can ask yourself one simple question:
“Where can I come back to myself right now?”
The answer will shift hour by hour, and that’s okay.
Presence is fluid.
It’s a practice.
It’s a soft strength.
And in a season that often pulls us everywhere at once, choosing to be here—fully, honestly, and gently—might be the most courageous thing we do.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Until next time—Ciao!
Tools and Links
Podcast: The Good Life Project: “6 Ways to Be More Present, Less Reactive and Enjoy Life More”