As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.—John F. Kennedy

Today was my final day in Paris. The pastel-colored homes shown above are found on Rue Cremieux. Pink facades mixed with cobblestones and greenery sent my heart aflutter. I wandered, snapped photos, picked up gifts, and wrote.

After vegan nosh at Comptoir Veggie and a ginger lemon tonic at Merci, I headed home to pack  for tomorrow’s flight back to DC. I’ll arrive just in time to savor a plant-based Thanksgiving with Tim and our four furry rescues.

I hope those of you stateside are gearing up for a relaxing Thanksgiving complete with all the trimmings. If you’re looking for some healthy vegan options, here are ton of recipes.

Despite this celebratory time of the year, holidays can be hard for many. These tips from Thrive Global may come in handy. A gentle reminder to check expectations, prepare for and get curious about those triggers, and take good care of yourself in the process. Remember, compassion, compassion, compassion. And a dose of gratitude. Try this 10-minute meditation to connect with it.

As I prepare to crawl into bed, I want to say a BIG thank you for joining me on this journey. I’ve been blogging for 14 years here and I so appreciate each of you. Truly, Tranquility du Jour would just be a monologue without you. Your support means so much and, truthfully, it feels good to know I’m not alone on this quirky path called life.

I wanted to close with a poem I shared regularly when teaching a Thanksgiving charity class at Tranquil Space, “Be Thankful.” You’ll find it below. May we find ways to live our gratitude today and every day. Bisous. x

Be Thankful
Poet Unknown

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.