Say, “Thank you”: Why Gratitude is Your Superpower

This Thanksgiving, my invitation is to pause and consider the role gratitude plays in your writer’s journey. Gratitude is not just a feel-good emotion; it is the way, the path to navigating challenges, strengthening your resilience, and fueling your process. Think of gratitude as your superpower.

Find Strength in the Challenges You Have Overcome

Think about the struggles you have faced and conquered in your creative life—the dragons you have slain, all the times you broke through frustrating writer's block, learned from rejection that stung or found inspiration when you least expected it. These moments were not easy, yet they shaped your resilience and deepened your perspective as a storyteller.

Be grateful for those challenges—they made you stronger and more capable of handling whatever comes next. Gratitude for the hard times reminds you of your ability to rise above them.

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." – Mulan

Your challenges only make your creative voice more powerful.

Shift Your Focus to What You Can Control

It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by things you cannot change—rejection, delays, or obstacles. Gratitude helps you reclaim control over what matters most: your effort, your mindset, and your persistence.

Celebrate all wins: finishing a scene, completing a page, creating an outline. Each moment matters, and gratitude for the process allows you to see progress where you might have missed it. That, in itself, is a great motivator. It certainly is for me. I love reading a section I have finished and feeling like I got it and hit the mark I wanted.

"It is what you do right now that makes a difference." – Black Hawk Down

Your actions today shape your creative tomorrow.

Cultivate Gratitude for Those Around You

From co-writers to supportive friends, Thanksgiving, and really anytime, is the perfect time to acknowledge those who stand beside you. Think about who has read draft after draft, given you notes, or encouraged you to keep going. A sincere thank-you strengthens your relationships and reinforces the spirit that powers your work.

"We are Groot." – Guardians of the Galaxy

Your tribe, this community are among your greatest resources of strength—tell them you appreciate them. I bet it will mean more than you may realize.

Recognize the Power of Your POV

No one else has your exact experiences, passions, or challenges, all of which shape your creativity. This is what makes your work stand out, and that, my fellow creative friend, is worth celebrating.

Take a moment to be grateful for your perspective and how it fuels your stories. Your stories have the power to inspire and connect with others in immeasurable ways. Appreciating who you are is not being full of yourself–well, maybe in some cases (just kidding.) It is what you bring to the screen that keeps your motivation going.

"We are who we choose to be." – Spider-Man

Your creative choices help define the impact you make in the world.

Celebrate the Joy of Creating

Sometimes, it is easy to become so focused on the end game—a finished script, a sold project, or industry recognition—that you forget the joy of the creative journey itself. Savor developing a new character, writing a powerful scene, or the satisfaction of seeing an idea take shape.

Be grateful for the act of creating, regardless of the outcome. Honor your ability to create. Not everyone can do what you do; no one can do it like you.

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light." – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Let the joy of your creativity be the light that guides you forward.

So, embrace your creative superpower. Gratitude is the rock you stand on through challenges, the source of inspiration, and fuel for resilience. Appreciate your journey—your unique perspective, the support of your community, and the joy of creating itself. Keep creating, and let thankfulness lead the way.

Happy giving thanks no matter where you are in the world!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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