It’s that time of year again where Halloween ends, the month of November begins, and all of a sudden, it’s Christmas. Now, if you look at that list again closely you’ll notice that it’s missing something: THANKSGIVING! In the past few years we have skipped over Thanksgiving and moved onto the commercial aspects of Christmas. This neglects the main point of the holiday season. To be grateful for all that you have and give back to your loved ones and those less fortunate.
With that being said, the gratefulness of Thanksgiving doesn’t just have to last one day. Make it a goal of yours to remain grateful the whole month of November. Appreciate the things you have and all the people you have in your life. Here’s a list of ways to do just that.
1. Give Back!
This is pretty self explanatory but this is definitely the best time of year to volunteer and give back to the community you live. Whether it’s serving a Thanksgiving meal to the homeless, giving to a canned food drive, or simply donating to a local charity, everything helps.
2. Say Thank You
Tell the people you care about how grateful you are for them and tell them exactly why you’re grateful for them. This doesn’t just have to be family members, it can be close friends, professors, or a mentor. Also, get personal with it. Rather than just sending a text, give them a call, meet up in person. If you want to go above and beyond you can even hand write them a letter. This will truly get you thinking about all the amazing people you have in your life.
3. Keep a Gratitude Journal
Get yourself a cheap journal and write down three things you’re grateful for each day. This can be done in the morning when you wake up or right before you go to bed as a reflection. This will make you think about how much good happens during your day and throughout your life. You’ll also learn to think more positively. Ever heard of the law of attraction? Well, this a good way to start.
4. Remain Present
When we’re so focused on the past and the future we tend to forget all of the wonderful things going on in the present. Remaining in the present can be considered a mindfulness practice and can aid relaxation on top of positivity. Focus on the now and you’ll be more grateful for all the things happening in the moment. Don’t let life fly by without taking it all in.
5. Perform Little Acts of Kindness
Sometimes we forget that life is all about the little things and that can make us forget about many things we’re actually grateful for. So, hold the door open for the person behind you, if someone near you drop something pick it up for them, smile at a stranger, or even pay it forward and secretly pay for the person behind you in the Starbucks line, etc. The list is endless and we can forget that on a bad day these things can help us remember how grateful we for those people who do little things just like this.
I hope you remember to be grateful for everything in your life for more than one day each year, and that you can apply each of these things to your everyday life. Happy November!