This is a year with challenges unlike any other, which makes a day celebrating gratitude right now just about the most perfect thing we could ask for. I’m not joking.

It’s easy to be grateful (and happy, and generous, and all sorts of other positive emotions) when everything is simply awesome. But what a strong, powerful spirit you have when you can have a terrible, awful, very bad year and still spend a day truly giving thanks.

I know you can do it! I’ve seen you show up, giving your best, for all of 2020, and there is no doubt in my mind that you are the source of light for your family, your community and all those in need of lifting right now.

So, my thanks today are simple — Thanks for this family of happiness warriors here at Speak Happiness. You inspire me every week. Thanks for my own family, even though we aren’t together this year. Thanks for the caregivers and first responders who are pushing beyond their limits to heal and protect others. Thanks for the activists and world-changers striving to make our country and our planet safer, more open and equitable, and more loving. Thanks for IntellihelpUSA, for giving me the opportunity to give more and give directly to people who need it (we’re providing the entire Christmas this year to a single mom and her four kids, ages 2 – 11, and I’ve never had so much fun shopping for presents!), and thanks to this puppy, who brings me joy (be sure to turn the volume UP for this one…).

I hope your next four days are filled with love, laughter, happiness, food, social connection, physical distance and good memories.

We need you here, so stay safe, stay healthy and stay Happy!

much love,
Valerie