Gratitude without the performance

Hey, there! AmyK here.

If you’re in the U.S., Thanksgiving is a week away.

If you’re elsewhere in the world, consider this your invitation into a broader reflection as the holiday season begins, because the dynamic we’re about to explore is universal.

Holidays have a funny way of exposing the Ego.

We intend to be gracious, soulful, deeply present … and then the mashed potatoes are lumpy, your aunt is three glasses into her “festivities,” someone brings up a rogue debate no one requested, and suddenly you’re performing gratitude instead of feeling it.

Fake, tight smile anyone?! 😏

Here’s the inconvenient truth: the Ego loves a holiday scorecard and an inner judgmental narrative.

This year I invite you to consciously choose to shift into your Heart: move from gratitude as a performance to gratitude as a presence.

Embody gratitude that isn’t eloquent, curated, or polished for public consumption. Instead, aim for gratitude that is quiet, real, unvarnished. Human.

Heart full and Heart felt.

And here’s a provocative, brain-buzzing question for you:

Are you chasing the feeling of being appreciated … or are you willing to become the one who actually appreciates?

This distinction is a key differentiator between Ego-led holidays and Heart-lit ones.

To help you embody this shift, try this simple practice:

Each evening from now through next Friday, pause for one long slow breath either right after dinner or right after you crawl into bed.

Just. This. One. Moment.

This presence-based gratitude quiets your mind, steadies your nervous system, and returns you to the center of yourself.

Wherever you are in the world, may your holidays be imperfect, honest, Heartfelt, and wondrously enough.

With genuine gratitude for our connection, … cheers to a brilliant start to your holiday season.

Hugs,

AmyK

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P.S.: Mark your calendar now for 🗓 Jan 7th at 9am Pacific | 12pm Eastern | 5pm London. My annual free Masterclass, IGNITE 2026! Your Presence is Your Power, is covering coffee hour to cocktail hour across the time zones, so no matter where you reside, you’ll be tuned in to start the year right … right from the start.

Save the date. Registration opens soon.