365 Squarey Monsters: Why Gratitude Matters Now More Than Ever

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In 1863, when our country was being torn apart by the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln set aside a day of thanksgiving. It seemed like an odd choice at the time: Families were grieving, the nation exhausted, and the war far from over. It didn't feel like there was much to be grateful for.

But President Lincoln was on to something. He understood that when we express gratitude, something inside us changes. It forces us to look beyond our differences and acknowledge what others contribute to our lives. We become more empathetic, understanding, and social.

And once you start noticing acts of gratitude, they multiply. When someone shows you kindness, you're more likely to look for reasons to be thankful yourself. Giving thanks has a way of softening the rough edges of our lives and reminding us that we're not alone.

This Thursday, we'll pause once again to express gratitude for the blessings we've received and the people who've helped us along the way. It's also a reminder that gratitude isn't something we express on a single day; we can offer it to one another every day.

A thankful community

Gratitude is good manners and good medicine. Neuroscientists tell us that when we pause to acknowledge the people who help us, the brain releases chemicals that help us feel calmer, more hopeful, and more connected.

But honestly, you don't need a stack of studies to understand the power of gratitude. Over the past few weeks, so many of you in our Celebrations Pulse community have written to tell me how thankful you are for the people who cross your path each day — the friends, coworkers, and even the total strangers who bring a little extra light into your life.

One touching story came from Noel, who met a man named Pedro while traveling in Mexico. Instead of passing him by, she sat down to talk, learning about his life and dreams. His expression of gratitude changed her perspective. It's also a reminder that thankfulness transcends language and circumstance.

Connie shared memories of a late coworker at Harry & David, whose warmth and humor made every day brighter. Another reader, Kelly, wrote about the fulfillment she finds in her work as a hairstylist, where she connects with clients, shares stories, and builds community.

These stories point to the fact that gratitude makes us feel good and opens the door to deeper relationships and second chances.

Which brings me to a story I've been wanting to share.

Thankful for second acts

Recently, I spent time with someone many of you will remember well: Jayson Williams. At St. John's and later in the NBA, he was a relentless rebounder, an All-Star, and one of the toughest competitors of his era.

But like many athletes whose careers end abruptly, Jayson found himself adrift once the cheering stopped. Injuries pushed him off the court, and the loss of structure and purpose sent him down a painful path. He struggled publicly, and at times, painfully.

After serving time in prison and battling addiction, Jayson could have closed himself off. Instead, he chose something else entirely: gratitude for the chance to begin again. He embraced the gift of a second act with the same force and determination he once brought to the boards.

And that choice not only changed his life but also the lives of others. His gratitude has created space for other men to find their own second chance.

Rebounding, together

In 2016, Jayson founded REBOUND because he realized that traditional recovery programs were missing the challenge, teamwork, and spiritual grounding he found essential.

His program for adults recovering from substance abuse, as well as those recently released from prison, uses outdoor-adventure therapy. Activities like paddleboarding, snorkeling, skydiving, and fishing help participants rebuild trust, confidence, and a sense of possibility.

And Jayson isn't stopping there.

His latest effort, REBOUND on the Road, is an eight-week truck-driving program right here in Nassau County, made possible through the support of County Executive Bruce Blakeman. It helps individuals reentering society earn their commercial licenses and begin meaningful careers. Like Smile Farms , it's a pathway to a future they can build with their own hands.

Carrying gratitude forward

As we prepare for our national feast of gratitude, Jayson's story — and the stories so many of you shared — remind me that gratitude is a powerful force that helps us see the best in one another. It not only lifts us up but also helps us believe in the possibility of renewal.

As we give thanks around the table this Thanksgiving, let's carry that gratitude into the days that follow, touching others in ways big and small.

All the best,
Jim

What can business leaders learn from the mindset of a world-class athlete?

In this week's episode of Power & Impact, I sit down with Austin Ramos, an entrepreneur whose path from All-American long-distance runner at UCLA to private equity leader is filled with lessons on building winning teams.

Austin shares how his years as a competitive athlete shaped his approach to leadership and navigating high-pressure environments. We explore his decision to forge his own path outside his third-generation family business, the creation of Brand Velocity Group, and why he believes people, culture, and storytelling are just as important as capital when building great companies.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about how high performers think, this conversation is full of insights on building resilient companies and playing the long game in business.

Our community's top Thanksgiving ritual

Over the past few days, I've been asking our Celebrations Pulse community to tell me about the rituals that matter most at Thanksgiving. After tallying the votes, I'm reminded that the heart of Thanksgiving is right in its name!

"Giving thanks" came out on top by a wide margin, earning just over a third of all votes. It didn't surprise me. In your notes, many of you shared that the act of pausing to express gratitude is the moment when the day feels like Thanksgiving.

Turkey dinner came in second, gathering roughly a quarter of the votes. And of course it did. The turkey is more than a meal — it's the focal point. Meanwhile, Friendsgiving rounded out the top three. About one in five readers said it's become the celebration they look forward to most.

The rest of the list — football, Turkey Trots, holiday movies, volunteering, the parade, and kicking off the shopping season — each earned their share of votes.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and share your stories!

A new way to stay connected

If you've been reading Celebrations Pulse each Sunday, you know how much I value storytelling and hearing from you. Staying connected has always been at the heart of everything I do.

That's why I'm excited to share a new way for us to stay connected throughout the week: my team and I just launched a dedicated Substack, an online platform where writers can publish stories and updates directly to readers.

You'll find a mix of shorter reflections on the Sunday letter, conversations with leaders from my Power & Impact podcast, and insights from Celebrate Your Story. I'll also be sharing brief thoughts on leadership, connection, growth, and relationships from my book, Lodestar, and other sources.

If you have ideas for what you'd like to see, I'd love to hear them. And if you're on Substack, I hope you'll subscribe and join me on this next step of the journey.

Reflections from Techonomy 2025

As I sit down to write this week's Celebrations Pulse, my mind is still buzzing from the Techonomy Impact 2025 conference that took place last week in New York. The gathering, now in its 13th year, focused on something I've been thinking about a lot: the intersection of artificial intelligence and the way we human beings choose to live, work, and connect.

It was a full day of conversations with innovators, policymakers, and business leaders, all wrestling with the same questions: How do we balance human agency with the growing autonomy of AI? And what role should technology play in fostering creativity rather than eroding it?

We heard from inventor and futurist Pablos Holman, who challenged all of us to think bigger — much bigger — about what technology can do to solve real problems in energy, climate, and health. My friend Bobbi Wegner joined a thoughtful panel on the future of work, and later, Andrew Yang shared his newest venture, Noble Mobile, a phone company designed to reward people for putting their phones down. His point was simple and compelling: markets work best when they align with human outcomes.

I'll have more to share from these conversations in coming weeks, but for now, I want to leave you with an optimistic takeaway. Yes, AI has the power to disrupt everything from our jobs to our creativity. But if we implement it with care and intention, it can also elevate the very things that make us human.

A perfect example: a platform called Openwav, which helps musicians find their audiences and run their businesses by leveraging AI to handle the heavy lifting of making money. It frees artists to spend more time doing what they're best at: creating. The Grammy-winning musician Wyclef Jean joined the conference to talk about his experience with Openwav, and as a bonus, he treated us to an unforgettable performance at the after-party.

It was a reminder that technology may shape the tools of tomorrow, but it's still our humanity that carries the tune.

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Why Gratitude Matters Now More Than Ever

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