As an Aussie implant to the US, there’s no way I can entirely understand the celebration of Thanksgiving like a true American does.

This year marks my second one living here in Los Angeles and I think I’m starting to get it. Today I woke to a ton of text messages from American friends sending their well wishes and on my walk to the grocery store this morning, everyone we passed seemed a little happier than usual and offered a chirpy “Happy Thanksgiving!”

I’ve always been a gratitude junkie, doing what I can to tell the people in my life how much they mean to me and I’m always looking for little ways to thank my team for all they do too. I keep a gratitude journal, and over dinner each night we go around the table and ask the kids what’s made them grateful that day.

The idea of having a day dedicated to giving thanks is genius to me and I plan on making the most of it! I think the world could do with a big fat dose of gratitude right now.

As we know, it’s impossible to be grateful and stressed at the same time so today I’m taking some time out for a few hours. I’m hitting pause. I’m going to eat a lot of turkey and pumpkin pie with friends and family and spend my time acknowledging all I have to be grateful for. So here goes.

I’m grateful for the strong women in my life who show me a way to being better.

I’m grateful for the huge array of female friendships I’m lucky to have, in all their crazy forms.

I’m grateful for our beautiful members who support our work, year in year out, knowing it really has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with making the world a better place for women.

I’m grateful for vodka, coffee and sleep too. I’m not always sure in which order.

I’m grateful to you guys for showing up here, always.

Now pass the cranberry sauce.

Read more from Emma here.