Somehow it is already November. Or actually, almost the end of it. I swear I was just complaining about the heat at practice, and now I am forced to wear my winter coat and brave the Ohio weather. Between the rigorous work of classes, college application deadlines and that unsettling realization that exams are barreling toward me faster than I would like, means the chaos can feel like it is consuming me and my motivation is spread thin.

The days are getting shorter, and the nights feel longer. By the time I leave school it seems like it is already dark out. This time of year can be tough; the excitement of fall fades as the beginning of the school year is over, and it is easy to feel worn out.

But lately, I have been trying to find pieces of my day that make this season feel a bit lighter. It sounds cliché, but they are present if you look for them. Maybe it looks like reflecting on your day and writing down what you are grateful for or starting your morning with a few minutes to set an intention. Practicing gratitude does not get rid of the hard parts, but it definitely softens them.

November always goes by fast and before we know it, exams will hit, then the holidays and a brand new year. But in the middle of it all, I think it is worth trying to find the good. Take in what is around us (yes, even in the quiet, gray parts of the season) and remember that gratitude is not just about being happy. It is about noticing what is still good, even when things are feeling heavy. 

As you practice gratitude this season, I hope Arlingtonian reminds you to look around and recognize how much meaning exists in the ordinary; the stories that connect all of us, and the moments that make high school more than just routine.