As Thanksgiving arrives, it’s really difficult not to get caught up in all of the holiday hype. You look forward to flaunting your cute outfit in front of your family and friends. Of course, you can’t wait to stuff yourself with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Then the rush switches to Black Friday sales, some people even ending Thanksgiving dinner with their loved ones early to hurry out to fight over an iPhone at Target because “it’s the best deal ever!!!!” When life is busy, it can become really easy to simply get wrapped up in all of that, and sometimes we may forget to just hit the pause button.
This Thanksgiving, take a few minutes to stop and examine all you have in your life to be grateful for. Whether you live in a mansion or a tiny apartment, be grateful for shelter, since some people struggle to find refuge from the cold this winter season. As you load your plate a mile high with food, take a second to acknowledge you are lucky to end the night with a full stomach, when some people may go hungry. The point of this is not to assign guilt, but to simply remind everyone not to take their lives and privileges for granted. Be thankful for being alive and hopefully in good health, for your work or education, for things we count as basic necessities, but not everyone has. Above all, be thankful for the ones you love. Whether that is family, friends, coworkers, or any other person who you care about, remind them that you are so grateful to have them in your life, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!