Written By: Lindsey Gulotta, NALJA Ex-Officio

Hey ya’ll! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and had the opportunity to spend some extra time with family members near and far, whether that be virtually or in person. Although this past year hasn’t been anything close to normal, I hope the holiday season brings you more appreciation than usual. For my family, we fortunately were able to celebrate Thanksgiving similarly to the way we have in years past, and hope to be able to do the same for Christmas.

One thing I realized during our Thanksgiving celebrations, is that we were more conversational, in the moment, and a little more kind. This could have been a coincidence, but I think it has a lot to do with the uncertainty of this year.

Uncertainty seems to be the word to describe 2020, but you can look at that word with hopelessness or as an opportunity to reach out of your comfort zone, put forth a little more effort, or even just have an extra appreciation for the small things. Of course, a few things have become inconvenient due to the circumstances, but we were never guaranteed convenience. This past year has shown me, and I’m sure many others, to not sweat the little things and to be appreciative of what we still do have. There are so many uncertainties that have made me want to try something new, or do a little extra, because we do not know what comes next.

I understand this year has been nothing short of a trial, but I challenge you to think about what you still have, and how you can use this time to become a better individual. This past year has brought about a lot of challenges, but it has also allowed us to take a step back and re-evaluate what is truly important in our lives. I wish nothing but the best for you and your families this holiday season, and hope you all stay healthy!