Is it just me or does November feel like an in-between month? Autumn has already dazzled us with its spectacular show, the brilliant leaves have mostly fallen, daylight is on the wane, and the sparkle of the holiday season is around the corner. It can be tempting to look right past November, as though its only job is to carry us from one colourful season to the next.
But perhaps November deserves more from us than that. What if, instead of waiting for the next bright spot on the calendar, we created a little brightness of our own?
“November is the month that reminds us to be thankful. For the big things, for the small things and for making a spring that will come in due time so much sweeter.” – Unknown
We think of joy as a grand occasion, but often joy shows up in small, ordinary moments: a favourite song that changes the mood, the colourful scarf that adds a little life to a grey day, the first sip of a delicious warm drink, a laugh or a smile shared with a friend or neighbour. These moments may be simple, but they matter. They remind us that joy isn’t something we have to wait for. It’s something we can create, something we can choose and something we can share.
“Colour is the music of the eyes.” – artist, James Whistler
There’s a reason so many of us reach for colour when the world around us feels dull. Colour has energy, it can lift our spirits and influence the way we carry ourselves through the day. So, wear your yellow sweater, your fuchsia scarf or the socks that make you smile. Put flowers on the table as a gift for yourself and use your good dishes on an ordinary Monday. These choices aren’t frivolous; they’re small ways of participating in our own wellbeing. This is how we bring brightness to a dull day.
“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” – author, Leo Buscaglia
Joy becomes more powerful when it moves between people. Consider how quickly your mood can change when someone sends you a funny photograph, gives you a compliment, shares a favourite song or tells you about something lovely they noticed in their day. A small joy offered freely can disrupt an ordinary day in the best possible way. Yesterday I had brunch with a friend, later I made supper and a pot of soup, both of which I shared with my neighbour. Maybe you stop to admire a neighbour’s garden or let someone know that seeing them always makes your day better.
We sometimes underestimate these moments because they can seem so small. But connection is often built through small exchanges that say, “I thought of you,” “I noticed you” or “I’m glad you’re here.”
November is also a wonderful month to put kindness into circulation before the holiday rush fills our calendars and our thinking minds. Why not send the thank-you note you’ve been meaning to write, compliment someone on something they did or said. Let a person who has made a difference in your life know that they did. Offer to help someone with something. Leave a kind comment. Make room at the table for one or two more.
None of this needs to be expensive or elaborate. Remember how you feel when someone shows you some kindness and know that a few thoughtful words can stay with someone far longer than we realize.
Kindness is also contagious. When a person feels seen, they’re more likely to notice someone else. It’s true that one generous act inspires another. What begins as a small gesture can ripple through a family, a friendship and an entire community. That’s the power of kindness.
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward.” – Princess Diana
Bringing your own joy doesn’t mean pretending that life is wonderful every minute. I know that some Novembers are difficult. We may be living with uncertainty, dealing with stress or loss, missing someone or simply feeling less energetic as the days grow shorter. Two things can be true at the same time: life can be challenging, and something within it can still make us smile.
We don’t have to manufacture cheerfulness or deny what we feel. We can simply remain open to moments of light when they appear and sometimes create those moments for ourselves when we need it. That could mean stepping outside for ten minutes, calling the friend who always makes you laugh, playing music, moving your body or planning one small thing to look forward to. Joy doesn’t have to solve everything to make a difference.
One of the beautiful things about community is that we don’t all have to feel joyful at the same time. On days when our own light feels low, we can borrow a little from someone else. On days when ours is shining brightly, we can share it. That’s how a community becomes more than a place to live: it becomes a source of energy, encouragement and belonging.
November doesn’t have to compete with October’s colour or December’s celebration because it offers us something else: an open invitation to notice how much warmth we can create ourselves. So, wear the colour, send the note, share the treat, offer the compliment, turn up the music. Don’t wait for the sparkle, bring your own joy.