As Thanksgiving fades into the rearview and we step into a new week, I’ve been thinking a lot about the quiet power of the people who walk beside us—our family, our friends, and that special blend of “framily” who become our chosen anchors.

I’ve always considered myself incredibly blessed. Through every high and low, I’ve had people who show up—who celebrate my milestones as if they were their own, and who wrap around me like a safety net during the hardest moments. This past Thanksgiving tested me in ways I didn’t expect. A family challenge surfaced, and in the middle of the chaos, something beautiful happened: the people in my life came together. They supported, guided, held space, and helped me navigate emotions and decisions when I needed it most.

That kind of love—steady, unconditional, unasked-for—is a gift. And it reminded me how important it is not just to receive that support, but to offer it. To pay it forward. To be the person who checks in, shows up, and reminds others that they don’t have to walk their path alone.

As we move into this new week, maybe that’s the lesson worth carrying:

  • Be the person who notices.
  • Be the person who reaches out.
  • Be the person who shows love in action.

As I sip my Monday morning coffee, I’m grounding myself in these reminders—quiet commitments I want to carry through the holiday season and into the new year:

My Reminders to Pay It Forward

  1. Reach out intentionally. A simple message can lift someone’s spirit. I want to be more intentional about checking in before anyone feels alone.
  2. Offer help without waiting to be asked. People often carry silent burdens. If I see something I can make easier, I want to step in.
  3. Listen with my heart, not my solutions. Sometimes support means simply being present—holding space without fixing.
  4. Celebrate others loudly and often. I want to show up for people’s wins, big or small, and remind them that their joy matters.
  5. Give the kind of compassion I’ve received. The support I got this Thanksgiving was a gift. I want to reflect that same love forward into the world.

As we move into this week, I’m choosing to show up with intention, love, and gratitude—just as others have shown up for me. Here’s to paying kindness forward, one small moment at a time.