Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Neither Christmas, nor Halloween, nor Valentine’s Day, nor any of the other gift-giving, consumer driven holidays.
I mean, what’s not to love about Thanksgiving? It’s a day to sit down, eat, and enjoy quality time with those you love. While I acknowledge not everyone has that privilege, I think the newfound essence of the holiday itself– giving thanks– is something everyone can participate in.
This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for. I’m grateful for a roof over my head, food on my table, loved ones who surround me, and so many other things I can go on to list.
Now, I know many people may be thinking that they are grateful for the same things as me, while others may not be feeling as grateful for the things I listed. In fact, some people may not have the privilege of food, shelter, and security, while others may be missing family members at the dinner table.
However, I think it’s still very important to sit down with yourself and reflect on what you do have, material or abstract, that keeps you going everyday.
It may be material things like a house, a car, a bed, and the like. It may also be a job, a hobby, or an education. It could be something as simple as a book, or as important as your loved ones. It can be something as abstract as your ambition, artistic abilities, or love for music. It can be something as large as life.
Sure you may face many hardships, ups and downs, and whirl-arounds in this life. But, there is undoubtedly one thing you may be thankful for– and it’s important to acknowledge that.
This exercise just might help you get into the season’s spirits and find motivation to keep pushing through. It serves as a grounding exercise and helps you realize that in your pursuit of obtaining and achieving more, you scarcely find yourself giving thanks for what you already have.
This Thanksgiving season, I challenge you to think about or write down some things you are thankful for!