Gratitude, Community, and Taking Care of Ourselves
January gives us a natural pause, a chance to take a breath, look around, and think about what really matters. There is nothing magical about the calendar changing or another year beginning. What is special is that we are here. We were given another day, and with that day comes the chance to make choices that bring more meaning, joy, and connection into our lives.
At Stein Financial Group, our theme this past year was community. Community is more than where we live or who we work with. It’s the people we talk to each day–our friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers who cross our path. Gratitude for those people matters. Yet from what I see, both at work and outside of it, we are slowly losing our sense of community.
Social media has become our loudest voice. Every day we’re told how bad things are, how far behind we are, and how we don’t measure up. We’re encouraged to stop listening to ourselves and instead follow the people with the biggest microphones or the most followers. Over time, that message wears people down.
Our group hears from the people we work with every day. They share their fears. They tell us they don’t feel good enough. They talk about family struggles, money worries, and dreams they’ve put on hold. They decide not to travel, not to fix their home, or not to repair a relationship because they believe they don’t have what it takes, not enough money, not enough time, or not enough confidence. In my opinion, that way of thinking isn’t true, and honestly, it’s a bunch of baloney.
Gratitude starts by recognizing what we already have: the ability to choose, to try, and to hope. Being thankful doesn’t mean ignoring problems. It means believing you are worthy of better.
As we enter January, I believe each of us should stop accepting things that don’t bring us joy. If your home needs a change, do something about it. Maybe it’s new towels or fresh paint. Maybe it’s a larger remodel. You deserve to live in a space that feels good. If travel is calling you, answer it—whether that’s a road trip to Duluth or a dream trip to Rome. If there’s a family conflict, be the one who reaches out. You may be turned down, but you tried. And sometimes, trying is how healing begins.
A little insight into me: I can be hard on myself when things don’t go as planned, and sometimes even when they go well. A friend once told me to stop and ask, “How would I counsel someone else in this situation?” I know I would be kind. I would be encouraging. I would help them reset and try again. And when they succeed, I’d congratulate them. That advice stuck with me. We all deserve that same compassion. We have to eliminate negative self-talk from our lives. I’ve always believed (though not always practiced) that the first person we need to take care of is ourselves. If we don’t have our own act together, how can we take care of anyone else?
Let’s dedicate 2026 to treating ourselves better. Let’s stop measuring our lives against anyone else’s highlight reel. Let’s focus on our own goals, values, and version of success. Take small steps. Baby steps count. They move us forward.
This year, let’s be grateful for the people around us. Let’s strengthen our community. And most importantly, permit yourself to believe that you are enough.
If you’re ready to take the next step, whether financially or personally, we’re here to help. Reach out to Stein Financial Group. Let’s talk. Our goal, as a company, has always been to make a positive difference for ourselves and others. In 2026, let’s make it personal. It’s time for each of us to focus on ourselves.
Warmest regards,
Jeff
