Whether you're thankful for whisker on kittens and brown paper packages, or just a roof over your head and a car that runs, this is the week to focus on those happy thoughts.  A little energy directed at conscious gratitude is always worth it, whether it's an annual ritual or a regular habit.

Julia Cameron's marvelous book, The Artist's Way, is referenced often here, not because it purports to have all the answers, but because there are so many clever exercises and insights within the 12-week program, combining to create a very useful and even transformative experience.  One such exercise is particularly relevant this week, when we as a society hope to think thankful thoughts...

The exercise, in its essence, is a simple expression of abundance:  just write down 50 things for which you are grateful.  Daunting as it may sound, you might be surprised how easily the list starts to flow once the first few are on paper.  This is an exercise best practiced in hard copy, with a favorite pen and good paper, as the physical act of writing out each item causes the mind to slow down slightly, pondering and more fully processing each bit.  The book suggests this exercise for every day when needed, especially when life is tough.  But even just once a year, this can become a vital annual tradition and a grounding influence.

Of course, the concept of "count your blessings" exercise is an old trick, spanning many cultures and not attributable to any one author.  But its universality does nothing to diminish the power of the process.  Give it a try, starting with once a week.  Repeat as needed.