Leaning Into Gratitude All Year Long
Congratulations, we’ve made it to the end of the year! Take a deep breath, give yourself a pat on the back, and enjoy all the festivities the holiday season brings us!
In November, GSMT encouraged us all to “lean into gratitude” by slowing down and checking in with ourselves honestly. By noticing what’s helping, making space for small moments, celebrating small wins, pausing to breathe, and honoring our own personal journey, we can carry ourselves through the rest of the year with confidence and ease. This is a busy time of year! Lots of decorations, holidays, and programming can be extra challenging while traveling ramps up and the days get shorter. I encourage you to continue to practice gratitude through these hectic moments!
Speaking of decorations, holidays, and programming, December houses a wide variety of celebrations. Some of the more well known holidays include Hanukkah from 12/14-12/22 and the winter solstice on 12/21 (aka the shortest day of the year). Christmas falls shortly after this on 12/25, Kwanza is observed from 12/26 through 1/1, and of course, New Years to close us out. All that to say, there are quite a few sillier ones as well!
For starters, December is “National Cat Lovers” month. As an animal lover, and specifically a cat owner, I was really excited to learn about this one! I have 2 cats of my own, Finn and Maggie; poetically Finn’s gotcha day happens to be on 12/2.
Finn (left) & Maggie (right)
Honorable mention to Bramble, my roommate’s cat!
In addition to national cat lovers month, December is also home to the “International Day of Veterinary Medicine” on 12/9, as well as “National Learn a Foreign Language” and “World AIDS/HIV Awareness” month. Some of those sillier holidays I mentioned earlier include “National Green Bean Casserole Day” on 12/3, “Wear Brown Shoes Day” on 12/4, “Pretend to be a Time Traveller Day” on 12/8, “National Cream Cheese Frosting Day” on 12/13, and my personal favorite, “Don’t Make Your Bed Day” on 12/21. In this season of giving, I hope you’ll find ways to spread joy during these sillier holidays! Dressing in theme or donating to research and other support avenues are super simple ways to express gratitude. In keeping with this, December is home to “International Volunteer Day” on 12/5; volunteering time at shelters or to deliver meals, donating gifts to toy drives for kids, visiting with seniors, or helping with community projects are all great ways to volunteer and give back!
This giving season, I am blessed to have had the opportunity to travel home to Pittsburgh, PA for Thanksgiving. Spending time with my family and friends who I haven’t seen for a year is priceless to me! Additionally, I am beyond grateful to be part of such a wonderful team here at GSMT. And similarly, I want to thank all of you for welcoming me into your spaces and allowing me to practice my passion! My life is better because you are in it.
I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season! See you in the new year!
Resources:
Today. (2025). A Complete List of December Holidays and Observances for 2025. Today. https://www.today.com/today/amp/rcna43152
Author: Kelly Weaver, MT-BC
Editor: Cassadi Kulak, MT-BC