We are heading quickly towards the hustle and bustle of “The Holiday Season.” It’s a time when the events sometimes overshadow the meaning and significance of the actual holidays. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and the to-do list is mounting. How will YOU find time to be THANKFUL? I’d like to offer you these three simple tips:
1. Start a Gratitude Journal
Get yourself a journal or spiral notebook and schedule time each day, week or month to reflect on where you are and acknowledge 3- 5 things for which you are grateful. No matter how bad things may be there is always something for which to be grateful! Be specific and try to capture the feelings of your gratitude. Re-reading your journal makes for a great pick-me-up.
2. The Thanks is in the Giving!
One of the BEST Thanksgivings our family ever had was the year that we adopted two sailors from the local naval base. They were two young recruits going through basic training and had not been off base for 8 weeks. We started our Thanksgiving Day with cinnamon rolls which were accidentally burnt. I was disappointed and embarrassed but the young men were so thankful and gracious that they simply cut off the burnt bottoms before eating. They were simply happy to have “real food” and didn’t care that it wasn’t perfect!
We continued to enjoy time with the young men that day. After dinner, we encouraged each to phone his family. The families were so glad to hear from their sons on this special day and know that they had eaten a home cooked meal. Sharing our home and Thanksgiving with these young men ended up being a real blessing for us as well as the young men who shared in our festivities.
Not sure how to give of yourself? Bring a meal to a friend or neighbor who could use some encouragement, volunteer at your local food pantry or shelter, contact local churches in your area and see what needs YOU might be able to fill. You will receive a much higher return than what you give, and it takes surprisingly less time than you’d think.
3. Store Thankfulness in Your Heart
In the end, it won’t matter who made the turkey, if Aunt Sue brought her special pie, or which team won the football game. What will matter are the connections you deepen with loved ones and the memories you store in your heart.
Instead of retreating to the couch or television after the meal, play a game everyone can enjoy, or sit together and really listen to one another. You may be surprised what you learn. You may just start a new tradition!
Wishing you a meaningful holiday season!
The Guilt-Free Coach