Thanksgiving isn’t just an opportunity to eat lots of food and meet up with family you see two or three times a year — it’s also about taking time to be grateful for what you have.
Every year, I sit down at my dining room table with my family, and while we enjoy the feast we’ve worked so hard to make, we go around the table and say what we are thankful for.
Each holiday has a certain significance, but Thanksgiving is by far the most rejuvenating. Think about it. New Years is a time where we think back on the last year and realize all of the terrible things we’ve done (and eaten). We then make a long list of goals that are difficult to accomplish like “loss weight” or “be kinder”, essentially acknowledging all of our own flaws. Christmas and Easter are all holidays in which we think of others (at least those who celebrate the commercial meaning of the holidays). We present gifts, make food, and purchase chocolate for family and friends. The only thing we think about that’s personal is whether or not to reach for a tums.
Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to reflect on all of the good in our lives — something people don’t take enough time to do on a regular basis. And it’s actually really hard. If you take a look at my list below, you can see they are relatively generic. Maybe one of my New Year’s resolutions will be to take part in daily gratitude exercises, which force you to think of something positive that happened to you over the last 24 hours.
Thinking of the good instead of narrowing in on the negative aspects of your life will give you confidence and a sense of calm in a ever-chaotic world.
Saying that, here is a list of the things I’m grateful for:
- I will be forever grateful to my support network of friends and family — no matter my mood, they are always there for me. I wouldn’t be here without that support. Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit down and my family has been there to cheer me up and tell me it’s okay. That type of support is invaluable and irreplaceable.
- I have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. No explanation is needed with this one.
- My work ethic, which has helped me land a job after completing a Master’s program despite the heavy competition.
- My health — so many people I know are struggling with illness. I am grateful that I am alive and able to live my life to the fullest.
- And finally, I am grateful for all of the staff at Women’s Post for working so hard to put out amazing content each week.
Make a list yourself! What are you grateful for? Let us know in the comments below!
