Somewhere between the first cold snap and the end-of-year sprint, the season of gratitude tends to get flattened into a single Thursday in November. You might take a moment at the Thanksgiving table to say what you’re Thankful for but more often we pass the plate and move on. I’d like to slow that down, because gratitude practiced with intention is one of the most grounding things a person can do, especially during the hectic holiday season, and a considered pour is a beautiful way to take it into the realm of self care.
This is what “sip with purpose” has always meant to me. Not a slogan. A practice.
A simple gratitude practice
So this season, alone or with the people you love, take a few moments of gratitude. All you need is a bottle of New Dawn.
Pour a small measure of the 6-Year Cask Strength Bourbon or our 10-year Wheated Whiskey. Choose a neat pour with or without few drops of water or a cocktail depending on your mood. Remember you’re looking for a moment of reflection so pour what is going to help you slow down and really be present in the moment.
Hold the glass for a moment before you drink taking in the smells, colors, and yes the feeling of the glass in your hand. Engage your senses and settle into your body.
Reflect on the things that went RIGHT this year. Think about those who supported, pushed, and held you up to get where you are today. And yes, that includes yourself!
Take the first sip slowly, giving thanks for where you are today. I like to. write down what I’m grateful for so I can return to it as a reminder when the season gets especially crazy. You can also take this moment like a form of meditation, reflecting on one area of your life each time you sit down to practice.
Go around the table. If others are with you, let each person name someone or something they are grateful for. Providing paper and pen can help people warm up and gather their thoughts but you’ll be surprised how quickly a simple pour can open people up to sharing. Not everyone at your table drinks, and that’s fine. Raise water, tea or cider. While whiskey’s nature encourages you to slow down, taking a moment for gratitude is what really matters.
Why this matters now
The holidays move fast, and they can turn into a performance of abundance that leaves everyone a little hollow. A gratitude practice is the antidote: a small, deliberate act that puts the season back on its foundation, the people, present and past, who make a gathering worth having. If you’re hosting this year, here’s how to bring bourbon to the holiday table.
Keep the practice. My email newsletter gets the season’s rituals, recipes and stories first. Take your seat: join the community.
Sip with purpose. 21+. Please enjoy responsibly.
