With the holiday season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Research has revealed a strong link between a positive, grateful mindset and physically healthier bodies – including cardiovascular benefits, elevated mental health and a boosted immune system. Learning to practice gratitude leads to longer-lasting feelings of contentment and positivity, in turn enriching your life and giving it deeper meaning.

Here are a few simple ways you can develop an attitude of gratitude:

• Hit pause: With our whirlwind schedules, it’s easy to get caught up and lose sight of what’s truly important. Taking the time to pause, look up and acknowledge all you have to be grateful for can have a major positive impact on our well-being. Being mindful and present is a skill that can be learned and strengthened through practice. Over time, this process becomes more constant and its results more distinguishable.
• Count your blessings: Focusing on what you have rather than what you want can help shift your mindset into an attitude of gratitude. This practice will help you realize the goodness in your life and allow you to keep proper perspective. Keeping this physical log can also be helpful to revisit in trying times to ground yourself and keep positive.
• Express and encourage: Gratitude is contagious. A simple act of kindness, like holding the door open for the stranger after you, can have a pay-it-forward ripple effect in your community. Encourage others to adopt an attitude of gratitude and be intentional about sharing how your new mindset has changed your life with those around you.

To take your attitude of gratitude the extra mile, here are some local opportunities to give back to the Pittsboro community:

• Chatham Education Foundation (79 George Moses Horton, Drive, Pittsboro): The Chatham Education Foundation strengthens communities in Chatham County by partnering with community residents, businesses, and foundations to improve education opportunities for public school students. Chatham Park has a history of partnering with and donating to this organization, and in lieu of the spirit of giving, you can help too! The Chatham Education Foundation is always looking for volunteers to help with everything from tutoring and test proctoring to sorting books and chaperoning field trips—so no matter your interest or skillset, you can give back to your community in a way that is meaningful and fun! https://www.chathamedfoundation.org/
• Chatham County Partnership for Children (220 Chatham Business Drive, Pittsboro): The Chatham County Partnership for Children is a group of citizens, parents, teachers, and human service providers who are dedicated to improving lives of the county’s young children. Volunteer opportunities exist for those who are Chatham County residents, at least 18 years old (OR enrolled in High School and completing community service), interested in children, and willing to volunteer their time and expertise to the community. For more information, visit http://chathamkids.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
• CORA Food Pantry (40 Camp Dr, Pittsboro): CORA Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization that serves local residents facing food insecurity. By collecting and purchasing healthy food for distribution throughout the Pittsboro area, CORA moves closer and closer each day to its goal of building a community without hunger. Between now and November 30th, Chatham Park will be collecting donations for CORA’s annual holiday drive, and you can help! By picking up a few food items on your next grocery run (list of most needed items here), you help ensure that every family in the Pittsboro community has the means to enjoy a wonderful holiday meal this season. Donations can be dropped off at Vineyards Sales & Information Center (500 Vine Pkwy, Pittsboro NC) from 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday, and 1-5pm on Sundays.
• The Livestock Conservancy (33 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro): The Livestock Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization committed to protecting endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction. Included in their mission are over 150 breeds of animals. Volunteers perform important jobs that supplement the essential functions of the organization and allow staff to continue to develop and implement programs that further The Livestock Conservancy’s mission. For more information, visit https://livestockconservancy.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
• Hope of North Carolina, Inc. (704 Spindlewood, Pittsboro): HOPE’s mission is to create an inclusive, supported community where all individuals, including those with developmental disabilities, can live meaningful and purposeful lives. This organization invites Pittsboro residents to join their team of committed volunteers to help create affordable, inclusive housing options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Triangle area. For more information, visit https://hopenorthcarolina.org/get-involved.

Being grateful for every opportunity and challenge has the power to transform your life as well as the lives of those around you. Embrace an attitude of gratitude and give back to the Pittsboro community this holiday season and beyond!