Thanksgiving and the "New Normal" 2.0: From Appreciation to Intentional Living
The Evolution of "Normal" In my previous blog post, " Thanksgiving and the New Normal ," I explored the concept of appreciating a " normal " day—a day where nothing exceptional happens, one we typically take for granted. This need for appreciation stems from the reality that eventually, a tragedy will affect you or someone you love, forcing you to accept and adapt to a "new normal." This adaptation process continues until the " new " normal simply becomes normal again. Over the 10 years since writing that post, and particularly in the last six months, I've come to realize that we can move beyond simply appreciation or passive acceptance of our " normal " days. By being intentional in our thoughts, actions, and behaviors, we can transform "normal" into something fulfilling, enriching, and even joyful. Every day. No, really. Rather than just existing or taking what normal offers, we can actively shape our daily e
