As we break bread at the outdoor cafes during reopening, I’m regularly reminded of the gift of conversation and, more specifically, the opportunity to connect in celebration with others. At the same time, it is important to consider how we will demonstrate empathy for those less fortunate at this time of the year when some are, indeed, so fortunate and others are so clearly struggling? Taking this time of reflection to advance our collective understanding and appreciation for the realities of others will make the experience of the Thanksgiving feast that much richer.

Goal setting and achieving is a process that takes more than planning in the mind. There are tangible steps to craft a goal that will have impact on your well-being. In my experience, the most effective goals are written in the SMART format. SMART is an acronym an acronym that you can use to guide your writing.