How to keep Thanksgiving about being thankful
Thanksgiving is a special time of year when friends and family gather for the big feast. There is turkey and dressing, candied yams and all those mouthwatering desserts just waiting to be enjoyed by all. The foods may vary, but the celebration holds the same excitement for most families.
These families are thankful for the chance to get together and enjoy such a wonderful meal together. They also enjoy seeing friends and relatives that live far away and only make the trip once or twice a year. The thing that sometimes gets lost in the eagerness for turkey and pie is giving thanks for everything positive in life. Thanksgiving is a day of celebration and there are many ways toconductthat celebration.
Appreciate those around you
This goes beyond your best friends and your family members. It also includes people you work with, neighbors, the cashier at your grocery store and anyone else you come in contact with. Each person is a unique individual and has special qualities that deserve to be recognized.
You do not have to walk up to your cashier and gush about all of his/her qualities as a cashier. That would be awkward for both of you. Instead, try being more polite or more patient when things don't seem to be going quite right at the checkout stand. You can apply this example to just about anyone you come in contact with throughout the day. You never know what someone is going through behind closed doors and a kind word or two can make someone's day.
Help those less fortunate
There are many ways you can lend a helping hand. You can volunteer at a community center, help your elderly neighbors carry their groceries, or just engage in small talk once in a while with someone you know is having a rough time.
So often people look down their noses at someone who is homeless or down and out. People seem to assume that there is a quick fix like just going and getting a job. Life is not always so cut and dry, there may be circumstances that you are unaware of. Sometimes a kind word is more help than you will ever know, to a person who is down on his/her luck.
Count your blessings
You can engage your whole family in this activity or do it alone. Sit down and make a list of all of the things you are thankful for like shelter, food, clothing, loved ones and your health. For some people, waking up to another beautiful day is reason enough to be thankful.
True blessings have nothing to do with gizmos, gadgets, fancy cars, nice houses or a pile of money in the bank. True blessings are things so valuable that money cannot buy them. True blessing are the things you feel in your heart and soul.
Share of yourself
It is rather easy to toss some money or material possessions at someone. It can be more difficult to actually spend time with that same person. Giving money and material objects is less personal and therefore there is less risk of getting hurt. Sometimes people spend so much time protecting themselves from getting hurt that they end up hurting others.
Try spending some quality time talking and laughing with those you care about this Thanksgiving. Give the gift of yourself and be open to receive that same special gift from those around you. Companionship and love are things to be thankful for after all.
Thanksgiving is highly anticipated "pig out" day where loved ones gather together and enjoy a hearty meal together. It is also a time for being with the ones you cherish. What some overlook is that true meaning of the holiday: being thankful.
It is not just about being thankful for your meal that day or being with loved ones that day. It is about taking the time to really appreciate life itself. People should have these thoughts and feelings all year, but unfortunately life takes over. Take the time on Thanksgiving to really count your blessings. Appreciate what you have and forget about what you do not have, even if it is for only one day.
