Daily Gratitude
Each holiday season comes with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Certainly, major depression or a severe anxiety disorder benefits most from professional help. But what about those who just feel lost or overwhelmed or down at this time of year? Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it’s built right into the holiday — being grateful.
The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.
The Impact, as addiction professionals, we feel related to these holidays is that they illicit our gratitude. We set aside Thanksgiving as a time of reflection to be grateful for the bounty of our lives. A bounty that would not be possible, here in America, if Native people had not helped the first pilgrims through their first winter, or for the many men and women Veterans who served our country, especially in war time, for our freedoms. We can be grateful for the work we get to do and the people we get to do it with. Most importantly, we can keep our attitude of gratitude beyond November and make it a daily practice.
Native American Heritage Month
- The entire month of November, from November 1–30, 2025.
- Key observance: Native American Heritage Day will be celebrated on November 28, 2025.
- Purpose: To celebrate the history, culture, traditions, and contributions of indigenous communities across the United States.
- Activities: The month includes various events like educational forums, museum exhibits, and cultural celebrations. You can also support Native American-owned businesses and explore indigenous art, music, and literature.
Veterans Day 11/11/25
In 1938, an act was passed declaring every year on November 11 as a national legal holiday. A day to be dedicated to world peace and known as “Armistice Day.” This holiday was primarily a day to celebrate the veterans of World War I. In 1954, after World War II the name “Armistice” was stripped from the holiday and replaced with “Veteran’s.” This way all American veterans are honored on this holiday for all wars.
Thanksgiving 11/27/25
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in October and November in the United States, Canada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Germany. It is also observed in the Australian territory of Norfolk Island. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year. Various similarly named harvest festival holidays occur throughout the world during autumn. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.
The Texas Association of Addiction Professionals firmly upholds values that support of our unique members and the clients they serve. TAAP will establish and sustain policies that promote understanding of the intersection of social, political, economic, and environmental practices and race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, and religion. All members are encouraged to strive for competence in understanding how these factors affect them professionally.
It is our goal to promote knowledge, awareness, and competence, not only within our organization, but throughout the state of Texas. TAAP will establish initiatives that increase the sensitivity and competence, as well as the professionalism, of our leaders and members, and build as well as sustain relationships with other professional organizations.
What is Professional Impact?
Professional Impact is anything ( race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, or political perspective) that may impact your ability to work in a professional and conducive environment. Professional Impact Committee promotes justice, impartiality and fairness within the procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems. We want every TAAP member to feel and/or know they are welcomed. Inclusion outcomes are met when you, your institution, and your program are truly inviting to all and individuals are able to participate fully in the decision-making processes and development opportunities within an organization or group.
All Addiction Professionals Must Rise to Meet This Challenge
As a professional association we seek to make meaningful connection regardless of how someone may differ from us?