The holidays can be tricky. Navigating a full schedule crammed with cocktail hours, round robins and office parties can burn out even the most social of butterflies. There’s also the other side of things – a wide open schedule or maybe the first holiday without a loved one. It’s a mixed bag. No matter where you land, gratitude can be a good spot to highlight as we approach Capitalism’s favorite holiday.

One of my all time favorite authors is Anne Lamott, and her book, Traveling Mercies certainly falls into the category of gratitude. This read is part memoir, part meditation as Lamott skillfully takes readers through experiences and challenges she has encountered. She takes time to touch on faith and more importantly grace. This read will force you to see life through an adjusted lens, one that celebrates ALL life’s experiences, even the hardest ones. Check it out here: https://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/anne-lamott

If Lamott doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, I think Katherine May just might fill that cup right up. May has a unique writing style, as if she is allowing the reader to discover things with her in real time. Her newest book, Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age will not disappoint. May takes time to address our current cultural issues contributing to fear and anxiety. She identifies some of the myriad of causes for stress, fatigue and fear for readers, and then she invites readers to act. The author asks readers to begin to reawaken our curiosity, our ability to wonder and appreciate the magic all around us in the day to day. May has cleverly divided the book into natural properties – earth, water, fire and air. Readers are given a kind of blueprint in reconnecting with the natural world to quell the anxiety and fear. This author had me at “Hello” with her first book Wintering, and this newest read has solidified her place on my bookshelf. Check her out here: https://katherine-may.co.uk/enchantment

If a book feels like too much of a commitment during the holiday season and you still could use a little gratitude in your life, check out the podcast Best Friends with comedians Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata. No matter the vibe, these two never fail to crack me up and lift my mood. Sometimes a good laugh is all you need to feel real gratitude. Check out: https://www.earwolf.com/show/best-friends-with-nicole-byer-and-sasheer-zamata/

Kate is a member of several AFC circles. She is an avid reader who enjoys sharing exciting new resources focusing on personal, professional and spiritual growth. Kate is a freelance writer residing in Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and three teenage children.