A Thoughtful Thanksgiving: A Tribute to the True Meaning of the Holiday

 

Not only does Thanksgiving mark the kick-off to the holiday season (though many retailers have been advertising for what seems like months now), but it is a unique holiday in that it is not about giving gifts but about giving thanks. Its sole purpose is to bring family and friends together to reflect on what we are thankful for in life as we enjoy the abundance of feast and the harvest of our blessings. This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to take a step back from your hectic life (and the stresses of holiday planning) and focus on the “thanks” portion of Thanksgiving. Put your pen to paper and make a list of the things you are thankful for this year. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

~Look around you. As you begin your list, start with the most obvious things from your day to day life. (This should be the easiest of the challenges). A few items on my list would be: my loving family, my generous friends and good health. Our lives are so hectic and stressful that many times we take our loved ones for granted; thus, clouding our vision of how truly blessed we are to have these folks in our lives.  Having lost my dad when I was 12 years’ old, I learned early on to truly appreciate my family and those closest to me, and to let them know daily how special they are to me. It may sound cliché, but today is a good day to let those close to you know how much you love and appreciate them.  Life is too short; live with no regrets.  

~Think big picture.  For the next part of your list, consider the bird’s eye view of your life and incorporate the big picture items for which you are thankful. A few things that come to mind for me are living in the United States, not facing persecution for religious expression, and the overall freedoms we enjoy in America. Even though we are constantly exposed to the hardships and tragedy our world is facing through the nightly news, I must admit that it’s easier not to think about how close to home some of these issues are. We are blessed to call the U.S. home and to have the freedom to live out our dreams if we so choose.  We are a blessed nation.

~Live a life of gratitude every day. Thanksgiving should not be the one day of the year you consider the blessings in your life. I challenge you to make gratitude lists not just on or around Thanksgiving, but year round. I know it is easier said than done, but making a weekly list of the things you are thankful for can really have an impact on your life. These lists don’t need to be lengthy or even complete sentences. Just jotting down some of the things you are thankful for each week will immediately impact your attitude and outlook, which in turn can cause a positive chain reaction in your life. On “off” days when things just don’t seem to be going your way, your lists will equip you with an arsenal that you can use to keep things in perspective and put a smile on your face.

As I get wiser in my years, I’m reminded that it’s important to be thankful for everything that has happened in our lives because we wouldn’t be where we are today without the course that history has taken. I think there’s an old Garth Brooks song along those lines… “Unanswered Prayers.”  This Thanksgiving, let’s collectively look past the turkey and football games, and use the spirit of the holiday to reflect on and recognize the things in life that make us blessed. In doing so, I assure you that your Thanksgiving meal will be a lot more meaningful – and maybe even tastier – than it has ever been in the past.

~ Have a blessed Thanksgiving surrounded by the ones you love. ~

            For additional Thanksgiving inspiration and recipes for some of my favorite dishes, check out my special holiday board on Pinterest. 

 

Photo Courtesy of OpenClips.

 

Tribute to the Fourth of July

         When I think of the Fourth of July, so many sights, sounds and scents come to mind. I instantly smell the heavenly aroma of backyard barbeques shared with family and friends; I recall big, bright, beautiful fireworks lighting up the night sky, and can’t help but hear “America the Beautiful” sung by the legendary Ray Charles play in my head. I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the picture. While these are all wonderful elements that make this holiday special, I think it is important that we take time to consider why we celebrate the Fourth of July, and reflect on what makes the United States of America such an amazing country. I have compiled a short list of a few things that make me proud to be an American.


        We are a country based on the principles of freedom. 238 years ago, July 4^th, 1776 to be exact, the Continental Congress representing the thirteen colonies, finalized and adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. This is a powerful document that has guided our country since its founding. The following line particularly stands out to me and in my opinion serves as the backbone of this country: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (US 1776) As you can see from this line alone, our country’s foundation was built on the principles of freedom and liberty, by which we are so incredibly blessed and should hold dear.

         Our country is known as the land of opportunity. From the beginning, the United States has been known as the land of possibilities. People have chosen and continue to choose to come to this country because of the promise of the “American Dream.” Our freedoms make this idea a reality because, here in the U.S., we are given the ability to start from nothing and become something great. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources and the freedom for individuals to take advantage of them, people have been able to build their lives through innovation; thus, propelling our country to be the world leader it is today.

        We couldn’t be the home of the free without the help of the brave. Today, we have hundreds of thousands of service men and women who everyday risk their lives to protect us, our basic freedoms, and our democracy. Our history is rich with military endeavors that have served to do just that. There is no better time than Independence Day to thank our veterans and current service members for their sacrifice and bravery. Without them, we could not be the global power we are today.


         Now that you’ve read my list, I challenge you to create one for yourself; share it with others and encourage them to do the same. Holidays are a great time for celebration, but they also are a wonderful time for reflection. If you would like a little more Independence Day inspiration, take a look at our Pinterest Page.

Happy Fourth of July and May God Continue to Bless America!

Photo Courtesy of: Mar Lidia