This Thanksgiving, I’m Thankful for the Chaos
This Thanksgiving, I’m Thankful for the Chaos
Every Thanksgiving, something magical happens at my parents’ house.
We make the news.
Not like make the news as in getting featured in a paper. We literally make the news.
It’s called White House Kidz News — a full-scale (and fully unserious) production created by a crew of cousins with a lot of attitude.
There are anchors, press briefings, “live” interviews, and hard-hitting stories like:
Which cousin did we elect to be president
Who won our obstacle course
The weather
Predictions on who will win on rivalry weekend
It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s usually unrehearsed and over-the-top. And it’s perfect.
Because when I think about it, we’re doing what all great Thanksgiving traditions are supposed to do:
We’re being fully present.
We’re capturing joy.
We’re choosing gratitude, even just being together.
Yes, this is real — and yes, it’s on YouTube. I’ll link the White House Kidz News channel [www.youtube.com/@White-House-Kidz-News].
Gratitude Rewires You
One thing I’ve learned, both through writing my book and just trying to live life well, is that gratitude isn’t just a feeling. It’s a muscle.
You have to use it. Stretch it. Practice it.
And when you do, science says it changes you.
There’s this fascinating fact I came across while writing:
The same part of your brain that handles gratitude also processes anxiety.
Which means they can’t really live in the same place at the same time.
Brain imaging studies show that gratitude activates the medial prefrontal cortex — the same region responsible for emotional regulation, empathy, and decision-making. That part of your brain actually helps quiet the amygdala, which is where anxiety and fear live.
In other words: the more you practice gratitude, the less space anxiety has to take over.
(Source: Fox et al., 2015 – Neural Correlates of Gratitude)
When you’re grateful, it’s like you’re turning the volume down on anxiety.
Your brain literally starts firing differently.
Your heart rate slows.
Your thoughts get clearer.
You stop spiraling.
You start seeing.
It doesn’t mean your life is magically easier. It just means your perspective gets stronger.
Choosing Gratitude On Purpose
Gratitude isn’t just something that happens to you. You have to go looking for it.
Sometimes it shows up in obvious ways, like turkey and time off work.
But often, the real gratitude comes in smaller, quieter moments:
Someone who texted when you didn’t expect it.
A conversation that made you feel loved.
A second chance you didn’t deserve.
A hug
A silly little news show that reminds you your family is still your family.
When you start naming those things out loud, or writing them down, or laughing about them with your cousins in front of a camera, something shifts.
You start to remember: life isn’t perfect, but it is good.
What I’m Grateful For This Year
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the big things, like Sadie, and the Leaders of Today team, and a job I love at the airport.
But I’m also grateful for the small stuff, like White House Kidz News, handwritten thank-you notes, and the people who read these blogs even when I get a little too excited about brain science.
I’m grateful that I get to write.
That I get to learn.
That I get to share this journey, even when I’m still figuring it out.
A Thanksgiving Challenge
If your week gets overwhelming, if you’re stuck in traffic, or frustrated with your family, or trying to balance way too many leftovers in the fridge, try this:
Pause.
Name three specific things you’re grateful for.
Write them down or say them out loud.
Let gratitude push the anxiety out of the way.
Let it remind you what actually matters.
And if all else fails — go make your own ridiculous news show with your cousins.
I promise, it works.
Action Steps for a More Thankful Life
If you're anything like me, you don't want to just read about something, you want to actually do something with it. So here are a few small ways to take this blog and turn it into real-life momentum:
1. Name Your Thanks.
Don’t just think about what you’re thankful for, actually say it out loud. Or better yet, write it down. Be specific. “I’m thankful for my cousin who always makes me laugh” beats “I’m thankful for family” every time.
2. Share It With Someone.
Tell a friend, coworker, or family member what they’ve meant to you this year. You’ll be surprised what a quick text or note can do for them and for you.
3. Make a Gratitude Habit.
Set a timer on your phone. Every night before bed (or every morning while your coffee brews), name three things you’re thankful for. Do it for a week. See what changes.
4. Recreate Joy.
Plan something playful. It doesn’t have to be a news show with your cousins (but honestly, 10/10 would recommend). Just do something that feels fun on purpose — even if it’s ridiculous. Especially if it’s ridiculous.
5. Flip the Script.
When things feel frustrating, ask: What can I still be thankful for in this moment? It won’t fix everything. But it might reframe it.
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.
— Jordan
Why I Write
I write these posts as part of my own design cycle — to reflect, learn, and grow as a leader, a husband, and a follower of Jesus. My goal isn’t to sound like I have it all figured out, but to share the stories, lessons, and experiments I experiance long the way.
I believe leadership isn’t just about titles or influence — it’s about how we show up every day. It’s the small choices we make, the way we treat people, and the courage to keep trying even when things don’t go as planned.
I also believe we should dream big — to imagine what could be, not just what is. Every great idea, every movement, every changed life starts with someone who believed it was possible. The design cycle gives us a framework to turn those dreams into something real: plan it, build it, reflect on it, and share it.
Through writing, I hope to help people build the confidence to lead right where they are— to think differently, lead boldly, reflect honestly, and keep trying even when it would be easier to quit. My goal is to remind each of us that leadership doesn’t start someday in the future; it starts right where we are. We’re not leaders of tomorrow — we are Leaders of Today. And in everything I do, my hope is to worship Jesus through the way I live, lead, and love others.
Use what you read here to build your own cycle of growth.
Observe. Reflect. Adjust. Share.
Dream big — and then, start again.