You are so fucking grateful.

For the roof over your head. For a day off work. For the scent of cinnamon & crackling firewood.
For pumpkin scones with vegan icing.

Most of all — you’re grateful for the people who keep you safe, secure, hydrated, and swaddled in love, encouragement & beauty.

Friends. Family. Baristas. Teachers. Leaders. Entertainers. Lovers. Comrades. Cohorts.
Your unspeakably talented hair colorist.

You know who they are. And you need to tell them.
‘Tis the season, after all.

Here’s a Fill-In-The-Gratitude Cheatsheet to help you crank out some Instant Appreciation for the people who matter most — massage it, meld it, make it your own. And then send it. Today.

Plus! 7 people you might want to shower with gratitude, straight away. Like Obama. And yo’ momma.

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Appreciation Incubation! :: A Fill-In-The-Gratitude Cheatsheet

Hey __________,

I’ve got just about everything I could want: food, clothes, a home, a {preferred mode of transportation}. I even make enough cash to enjoy a {favorite frivolous beverage} when I’ve got the yearning, to shell out ten bucks to see {ridiculous Blockbuster movie that you’re shame-faced to name} and to donate a few bucks to {favorite charity} each year. All things considered, I’m doing pretty {gloriously positive adjective}. Put simply: I’m happy.

I’ve got a lot to be grateful for. More than most people, on earth.

And I want you to know — of all the people, the places, the experiences, treats, pleasures & thrills in the world — your {presence / impact / friendship / support / guidance / hilarious, gut-busting truth-telling / exceptional love} in my life is one of the things I’m most grateful for.

As we lean into the New Year, eyes bright & hopeful for better times, higher goals & sweeter dreams, I hope you remember that you are loved. Treasured, even. And deeply, profoundly appreciated.

Here’s to your {wit / charm / wondrous intelligence / intrinsic beauty}.

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

{Your name}

* * *

7 places to point your appreciation.

Create & send a personal Declaration of Gratitude to any (or all) of the following people.
Betcha they’ll get a little verklempt.

1. President Obama!
(He’s had a rough year. Let’s pump him up!)

Write to:
Mr. Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500 USA

2. Your local fire station!
They’re foxy, fearless & devoted to keeping you safely un-lit. Find your local station here.
And say thanks.

3. Your favorite high school teacher!
He or she still remembers you, you know. Teachers are magic like that.

4. Leonard Cohen!
Don’t let another year go by without thanking Leonard for being…the beautiful bodhisattva-poet he is. ♡

Write to:
Leonard Cohen
c/o RK Management, LLC
9300 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 200
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 USA

5. Your first love!
Find them! Tell them how happy you are, and how fondly you remember your torrid youth. Isn’t that what Facebook is for? I wouldn’t know.

6. Your parents!
Or the people who feel & act like your parents.

Pluck out a favorite shared memory from your childhood (corndogs on the beach… your weekly trip to the public library… your first Sheryl Crow concert… ) and tell them about it, in detail. Tell them you’ll never forget it. Or them. Cue the waterworks.

7. The military!
Whether or not you believe that the military industrial complex should exist (hint: I don’t. Rabid pacifist to the grave.) the fact is, baby-faced boys & girls are dying for your right to be…well, a rabid pacifist. Politics aside–tell them that you care. And you’re grateful. And you hope they come home, soon.

Ship some love, at AnySoldier.com

* * *

I’m so fucking grateful… for you.

Vintage photo of The Grateful Dead (who else?) via :: Billboard.