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.
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