Gratitude and Intention: The Foundations of Connections
Your Attitude of Gratitude Makes the BEST Memories
Holidays, gatherings, and reunions often bring a mix of emotions—joy and excitement paired with the occasional anxiety or worry. Whether you're hosting or simply attending an event, it's easy to find yourself focusing on what could go wrong. But what if you intentionally shifted that focus?
When we choose gratitude and set positive intentions, we not only shape how we experience those moments, but also how we remember them later. Our mindset plays a powerful role in creating enriching and memorable connections with family and friends.
Cultivate Gratitude
Writing it down will help you remember
Before stepping into your next family or social gathering, take a moment for mindful reflection. Think about the people you’ll see. What are the qualities you love about them? What are the moments you’ve shared that bring a smile to your face? These thoughts may feel small, but they create an important mental shift.
Our brains naturally fixate on what might go wrong—an awkward comment from a family member or the stress of planning a meal. But gratitude moves us from worry to appreciation, transforming the way we approach our time with others. By focusing on what you admire or enjoy about those around you, you’ll approach them with kindness and openness.
Intention Shapes Memories
How we choose to experience a moment influences how we’ll remember it later. For example, I recall a family moment where my mind ran straight to the worst-case scenario. A family member called for help, saying they’d cut their hand while preparing dinner. Without even seeing the situation, I immediately imagined a severe injury—gushing blood and chaos. I rushed into the room, overwhelmed with fear, only to discover a tiny scratch that barely needed a Band-Aid.
We all laughed about it afterward, but it reminded me just how powerful our minds can be in coloring situations. My fear amplified what was a minor issue into a dramatic event. That experience taught me the importance of choosing how I respond. I realize that I don’t want to allow my fear-based thoughts to dictate my actions.
When approaching any gathering, we can set an intention to focus on the positive moments—the laughter, shared connections, and spontaneous memories. This mindfulness creates a “hope-centered” mindset and allows us to fully experience the joy of being present with others.
Making the Most of Each Moment
One moment can stay with you for a lifetime
Beyond gratitude, think about the version of yourself you’d like to bring to these interactions. Maybe it’s showing genuine curiosity about others’ lives, being a source of encouragement, or spreading positivity. These are choices we can make before we even step into a room. Maybe you want to be intentional about noticing the small moments that others miss and capturing it into your long term memory. By setting these intentions, you’re more likely to make meaningful connections and create memories you’ll cherish later.
A Year of Gratitude
Speaking of reflection, I’m so thankful for the amazing milestones this past 12 months has brought.including the one-year anniversary of my TEDx Talk,: How to Lead with Hope viewed over 5,000 times since being published! Sharing my message on mindset and communication has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. And I’m grateful for the encouragement from so many of you who’ve supported me along the way.
If you haven’t seen my TEDx Talk, How to Lead with Hope yet, I’d love for you to watch it here. I’m also thrilled to invite you to join my 3-Day Conversation Challenge, where I’ll share actionable ways to strengthen your mindset and connection with others. Sign up here. It is free to join, so why not?
This holiday season, remember that the power to create meaningful and joyful moments lies within you. Cultivate gratitude, set your intentions, and savor the memories you’re making.
Want to explore more of these ideas? Listen to Episode 221 of The Focused Mindset Podcast here.
