Want to feel great AND create some positive impact? Try Gratitude.

I love gratitude and consider it a gift in my life. This month we have an extra special excuse to focus on what were grateful for. We get to hopefully be with family and friends who love us, we get to sit around the table and talk about what we're thankful for. We get to give knowing glances of gratitude to each other. It's a really cool holiday and one that can sweep you away with joy and gratitude if you let it.

It can also be a time of sadness and challenge for some people. The holidays can bring on all sorts of emotions. Regardless of how the holiday season impacts you, there is always something you can count on to help lift spirits and joy. It's free. There's no right way to do it. You can be incredibly generous with it. There is a limitless supply. It creates a powerful impact. It soothes the spirit. It's Gratitude.

My dare to you this holiday season is to reach out and "gratitude" someone. Go out and make an impact. Not only on the people you know and love - but on the people you don't. Go out and engage someone you barely know. Let them know how grateful you are for them. Let them know that you see the little deeds that go unnoticed, that you care, that you're grateful they're a part of your organization, or your community or your family (for those distant relatives), or your team.

Whoever it is, engage with them from the heart. See them. Thank them. Acknowledge them. Engage them. Do whatever feels right and authentic to you. Do something that will matter. It's amazing how much a little nod of gratitude can matter. And it's even more amazing the ripple effects it can have. So go, have fun and show some gratitude. Be generous with your gratitude. Let me know how it goes.

Here are a couple of other things you can do this holiday season to raise that holiday cheer even more and get ready for the New Year:

Start a gratitude journal: Every day journal 3 things you are grateful for.

Break the funk: Whenever you are feeling in a "funk" or low or grumpy - think about what you have to be grateful for. Make a list and check it twice!

Give: Donate time, food or money to a cause that you care about.

Appreciation Days: Dedicate a full day to letting people know how much you appreciate them.

Gratitude Rounds: Spend 10 minutes at the end of every hour doing the "Gratitude Rounds": make phone calls, write letters, go out of your way to thank the guy at the coffee shop for making you that fabulous coffee every day.

Gratitude DTE Style: (Sincerely) thank someone you've butted heads with for teaching you so much and making you stronger (Remember, those who we are most different from, have the most to teach us ;-)

Impact Gratitude: Thank your mentors, parents, kids, sibling, colleagues, spouse, teachers, team members, etc. for the impact they've had on you this year.

Many ways you can do it. Three rules: make it authentic, go out of your way to do it and make sure it lands! ENJOY!

Anese Cavanaugh is a certified coach, author and speaker and the founder of Dare To Engage, Inc., a company devoted to helping leaders become top leaders in their organizations and their lives through coaching and training. Her specialty is helping leaders build a healthier, more engaged workforce, retain their top talent, develop greater authentic engagement and create stronger personal sustainability. She holds a degree and multiple credentials in the areas of coaching, wellness, leadership development and health & productivity improvement. For more about Anese or the Dare To Engage Programs or to receive a complimentary report and audio on "Energy & Results" go to www.DareToEngage.com.