225. Gratitude Superpower: How to Boost Hope and Connection Through Challenging Seasons

Common DynamicsBonding
Written By Mike Anderson

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You want this season to feel special for your blended family. But instead of joy, you’re feeling grumpy, anxious, or even a little hopeless. Schedule changes, empty chairs at the table, tension with an ex, and slow bonding in step-relationships can make gratitude feel out of reach. Deep down you might be wondering, “How am I supposed to be thankful when life really hurts?”

In this episode, we'll sit with you in that question. And we'll introduce three simple “gratitude lenses” that will help you focus on what’s good without denying what’s hard. 

Through honest stories from our personal journey, including Kim’s long season of walking with Annika through addiction and into recovery, you’ll see how gratitude can keep you anchored so that you can show up well as you face tough realities. 

You’ll also learn how to hold grief and gratitude at the same time while guarding against three common negativity traps that quietly drain hope and resilience. By the end, you’ll have one small, clear next step to begin practicing gratitude in real life, right where you are, in this season and beyond.

You'll Discover:

  • Three gratitude lenses tailored for real life, you can start using today

  • Simple gratitude habits that can make a positive difference

  • How to hold grief and gratitude simultaneously - without having to pretend

  • The 3 “P” traps that crush resilience—and how you can resist them

  • A vulnerable look at parental alienation, addiction, and embracing hope for the journey

Resources from this Episode:

Ready for personalized support?  Schedule your free coaching call

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With so many episodes available here on the show, it might feel a bit overwhelming to find the topics that matter most to you.  That's why we've created the Blended Family Breakthrough Quiz, which will direct you to the most impactful episodes that pertain to you personally.

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Mike Anderson

I grew up in difficult stepfamily dynamics.  I have experienced life as a step-child, a step-sibling and a step-parent.  My stepfamily perspective combined with my expertise as a Professional Life Coach uniquely qualifies me to help you move forward in your stepfamily journey.

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224. Holiday Negotiations That Work: 5 Tips to Reduce Tension and Disappointment