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Entering 2025 with đź’©
and Shinola?

When I (Clare) read the research on gratitude’s health and wellness benefits, I was elated—and also painfully aware of how much gratitude I still lack. Yes, I am so grateful for my life, but when I’m not intentional, I can let reality drag me down Despair Drive or Shutdown Street.

Entering 2025, I find myself in the midst of what I like to call “đź’© and Shinola” (if you’re a Detroiter, you know the beauty and artistry of Shinola) or, as we affectionately named it in Ireland, “đź’© and Rainbows.” That phrase came to life during a long walk through hundreds of meters of wet cowpunk in the rain, only to be greeted by a dazzling rainbow at the end. Life feels like that sometimes, doesn’t it?

There are so many hard things in our world universally—floods, fires, wars, and the state of politics—and personally—sickness, relational sadness, and longing for heaven on earth. Yet even in the 💩, I can see the Shinola and rainbows: moments of beauty, artistry, and grace that remind me I have so much to be grateful for.

Still, I wonder: What would it look like to live in gratitude? Do emotions like anger at injustice or frustration with incompetence get denied? Does living in gratitude mean becoming toxically optimistic and avoiding conflict? Or is there a third way? Can we be grateful and truthful at the same time?

A “Third Way” for Gratitude

Living in gratitude while holding space for truth, including complex emotions, is such a rich tension to explore. Gratitude isn’t about denying reality or glossing over difficulties with false positivity. It’s about anchoring ourselves in what is good, even amidst what is broken.

Here’s what a “third way” might look like:

  1. Grateful Awareness

Start by acknowledging the gifts that sustain you, even in the hardest moments. When I was trudging through that rain-soaked cowpunk in Ireland, I remember laughing with friends despite the discomfort and marveling at the rainbow that followed. It wasn’t one or the other—it was both.

Maybe for you, it’s the breath in your lungs, the companionship of a friend, or the resilience you didn’t know you had. Gratitude doesn’t erase the struggle, but it widens the lens to include the good alongside the hard.

  1. Honest Engagement

Anger and frustration are valid; they’re messengers that something isn’t as it should be. Gratitude doesn’t require you to suppress these emotions—it invites you to name them, honor their purpose, and approach them with clarity.

For example, when I feel frustration in relationships, I’ve learned to pause and ask, “What’s beneath this frustration? What am I longing for in this connection?” Gratitude for the relationship helps me stay grounded, while honest engagement allows me to address what needs attention. If this feels foreign, don’t hesitate to seek help—whether through a trusted friend, counselor, or spiritual director.

  1. Imagination

Take a moment to dream of what could be. What might a “new heaven and new earth” look like in your current situation? Imagine the sights, sounds, smells, and people. Picture it like a movie in technicolor—or a musical if that’s your vibe!

When the chaos of life feels overwhelming, I’ve found that allowing myself to imagine God’s redemptive possibilities shifts my perspective. Write it down, draw it, or pray it out. Let your hopes be known to the Creator of all that is good and beautiful.

  1. Constructive Action

Gratitude can fuel hope and inspire action rather than leaving you stuck in despair. For instance, anger at injustice might lead you to advocate for change, but gratitude for the helpers or the progress already made can give you the perseverance to keep going.

In my own life, I’ve noticed that gratitude also reminds me to take care of myself—mentally, physically, and spiritually. You can’t show up for the world if you’re running on empty. So, as you act, also ask yourself: What do I need right now to stay healthy and whole?

Tension as Transformation

Living in gratitude and truth simultaneously means holding the paradox. We can grieve what is wrong while rejoicing in what is right. Gratitude isn’t toxic positivity—it’s transformational maturity. It’s the difference between staying stuck in the extremes and cultivating wholeness.

So, as we enter 2025, here’s my question for you: Do you have a group to process your spiritual life with? If not, what might it look like to find or create one this year? Life is better in community—whether we’re trudging through the 💩, celebrating the rainbows, or finding Shinola in the midst of it all.

Whether you’re discerning new goals or releasing old patterns, these offerings provide sacred space for growth, connection and transformation in the tension.

NEW! Monthly Group Spiritual Direction Cohorts

Explore the Enneagram Trinitarian Harmony Model paired with Group Spiritual Direction (GSD).

  • What’s Included:

    • Five monthly teachings on the Enneagram Trinitarian Harmony Model.
    • Reflection questions and spiritual practices to deepen your connection with the Trinity.
    • Guided Group Spiritual Direction with seasoned spiritual director and  IEA-professionals
    • Cohort Details:
    • Dates: January–May 2025.
    • Times: Choose one: Wednesday evenings, Friday mornings, or Friday afternoons.
    • Cost: $385.

GSD fosters empathy, deep listening, and discernment. Participants share their stories, while the group offers prayerful reflection, phrases, or images to encourage growth and clarity.
Click here for more info or to sign up

Let 2025 be a year of transformation in the tension for us all!

With faith, hope, and especially love,

Scott and Clare