By Megan McDonough
This morning, I sat in front of the fire, coffee in hand, wondering what to write. The moment itself whispered the answer: Write what is here. Act upon what is happening right now, with a heart full of gratitude.
In this week of Thanksgiving in the US, I’m struck by the simplicity and power of attending to the present moment. What if this very second—just as it is—is what needs our attention?
I am grateful for the warmth of the fire, the comfort of coffee on a cold morning, and the clarity that emerges in stillness. When I allow myself to be present, I feel awe for the thoughts that surface and find their way onto the page.
This is the rhythm of life when we don’t try to mold it into something else. It’s an invitation to appreciate the wisdom of the moment, without judgment or resistance.
As leaders, this is a vital skill: to recognize and respond to what is, rather than what we think should be. Leadership is not about forcing outcomes but about creating space for clarity, connection, and inspired action.
Leading with Gratitude
Thanksgiving reminds us to give thanks—not just for what we perceive as “good” but for everything. Leadership, too, calls us to see beyond judgment. To appreciate challenges as opportunities, uncertainties as spaces for growth, and the everyday moments as places where meaning and purpose can emerge.
When we are still, we create the conditions for deeper insight. This is not passivity; it is an active receptivity. Gratitude in leadership is about honoring the present moment and trusting that the answers we need will arise from it.
The Courage to Be Present
In the rush of our days, it’s easy to dismiss stillness as inaction. But being present requires courage—it asks us to slow down, listen deeply, and trust that the moment holds what we need.
This is a skill we can cultivate, both individually and collectively. At Wholebeing Institute, we teach leaders and teams how to embrace this approach through evidence-based tools and practices that promote mindfulness, gratitude, and resilience. Programs like Well-Being at Work help organizations foster cultures where presence and appreciation are woven into daily leadership.
A Thanksgiving Reflection
So, as you gather with family, friends, or colleagues this Thanksgiving, consider this:
- What would it mean to truly honor the present moment?
- How might you bring gratitude into your leadership, your work, and your relationships?
- Can you give thanks for what is, even when it doesn’t align with what you thought it should be?
Be still and know. Leadership begins with the willingness to pause, to appreciate, and to act from a place of grounded awareness.
This Thanksgiving, I invite you to pause, to lead with gratitude, and to trust the wisdom of the moment.
Megan McDonough
Megan McDonough is the CEO and founder of Wholebeing Institute, an educational organization teaching the science of human flourishing. With a degree in nuclear medicine, decades of leadership experience, and 25 years of teaching and practicing yoga, Megan combines intellectual understanding with an embodied approach to teaching and leading. She’s an award-winner author of four books on mindfulness. Her work focuses on helping people thrive and organizations to do the same.
