Dear Friend,
He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
J.A. Shedd
Each year we gather 'round with our family and friends and we celebrate Thanksgiving. I've always loved this holiday because it is purely American and cuts across cultural and religious divide.
How can we each make the most of this holiday?
Once Halloween has passed, there is eager anticipation for the Holidays. We work hard to complete projects at work, we clean our homes, we cook food to be shared, we decorate our homes, many of us travel, we prepare our homes and our hearts for this joyous holiday. In all of this preparation we get overwhelmed and become irritated with all around us. We are ready for it to be over before we've even eaten the turkey and before the tryptophan resulted in a nap.
So how can this year be different? I'd suggest that this year be about giving thanks for the blessings around us rather than perfecting what is already pretty good.
Close your eyes and imagine that Thanksgiving has passed. The dishes are done, the house is empty, you are back at your desk working away, but you can't remember what was said at the table because you were so worried about...the food, the decorations, a looming project at work, the mess.
This year you have a chance to prevent being derailed by the minutia. This year stay on track. Set your attitude on gratitude and your thoughts on thanks-giving! What is important about this holiday is spending time with those we love and giving thanks for them. So as the chaos sets in - avoid the temptation of thinking about what must be done and let go - what is done is done and what isn't done just doesn't really matter.
Allow yourself permission to return to exactly what is important about this holiday. Remember that having meaningful connections and coming together as friends, families, and communities is what Thanksgiving is really about. Enjoy this time!
Make It Happen
Below are some ways to give and show thanks to the world around you ...
Before you hit delete and move on - Give thanks for...
Your electricity
Your heat in the Winter
Your a/c in the Summer
Your running water
Your firefighter who shows up in the event of a fire
Your postal worker
Your abundance of food and water
Your home
Your faith
Before you leave your office for the Holidays
Write a note to three people you work with and say thank you
Write a note to three clients and thank them for their business this year
Call three people and simply tell them what they mean to you
Before Your Thanksgiving Meal
Visit a local shelter or charity and cook for and serve others
Donate warm clothes and nourishing food to your local church or temple
At Your Thanksgiving Meal
Have everyone at the table say what they are thankful for
Have everyone focus on each person for a minute or two and say what this person means to them, and what they are thankful for about this person
Blessings to you!
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