Yes, this is definitely a cliché, but it’s also very true. This annual holiday is one of the lesser-appreciated ones (who says Thanksgiving is their favourite holiday?), but it’s actually the one we need more of. The cusp of autumn brings families together to celebrate food, gratitude, pilgrimage, faith, and all the successes that have happened in the year so far. But shouldn’t these be everyday things? Here are some ways to carry thanksgiving into every day.
1.) Seeing family shouldn’t be a holiday-only occasion
Maybe you’re a student who’s in another city (or even country!) from your family, so seeing family isn’t super realistic, but you can return your grandmother’s phone call. You can text your cousin in the province over to see how her program is going. You can send a handwritten letter to your old friend who you’ve been geographically separated from. In all the commotion of school, parties, and trying to become an actual adult, it’s hard to remember the people who brought you to where you are. Make that extra effort and remember your family and friends on ordinary days – not just holidays.
2.) Sit-down meals are under-appreciated
Yes, being a students means that Tim Hortons is probably an everyday commodity and coffee is always on-the-go, but remember how good it feels to lay the thanksgiving spread on the table or buffet? Remember everyone praising the presentation and taking their time to actually savour the food? With a student’s schedule, it’s pretty hard to have a nightly sit-down meal, but at least once a month it’s important to have that traditional sit-down time. Even if you can’t share the meal with family, get some friends together, get out that bottle of wine, and enjoy a good potluck dinner party!
3.) Every day should begin and end with gratitude
The happiest people are the most gracious. Not everything in life goes as planned or goes the way we want. Oftentimes it’s because there are even greater things coming our way that we can’t even imagine. Regardless, it’s important to appreciate what you have. There will always be people with more or less than you, so be happy with what you have every moment of the day. Take the first few minutes of your day (right after you wake up) to reflect on your blessings and to go into the world with a happy heart. At the end of the night, reflect on the positive things again. Everything good starts with a positive, grateful attitude.
4.) Students lack the ‘homey’ feeling
Especially for first-year students, it might be a big struggle to be away from ‘home’. But what I’ve learned is that home is where you want it to be; it’s not limited to where you were raised or where your parents reside in. You can make good memories wherever you are. But to add to that thanksgiving ‘homey’ feel, put a few pumpkin pie candles or wax melts around your dorm room or apartment. Throw some decorative pillows on your couch. Hang some plants. Do what you gotta do to make your space ‘home’, even if it’s just a temporary location.
Though thanksgiving is typically seen as just a day off work/school to eat a lot of food, it’s far more than that; it’s a reflection about how amazing life really is, and I think that should be carried into every day.