Thankful at Thanksgiving

As important a holiday as Thanksgiving is, it’s quite true that the meaning of the day can be overlooked and overshadowed at times. We are blessed with only a few holidays every year, so why do we seem to rush through each one on our way to the next? Or, why do we stand in the kitchen, tapping our toes and anxiously counting down the minutes until dinner is finished and served? Then, with enough food on our plate to feed a small army, why do we gulp down our meal as fast and hungrily as possible, not even stopping to fully enjoy a single tasty bite?

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This year, I dare you to literally stop and smell the roses, or perhaps more realistically, the fall candles burning and wafting scents like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice down the halls throughout the house.

If you are getting up early to run a ‘Turkey Trot’ like me, or a similar Thanksgiving Day race, try to enjoy and appreciate every mile. Look around at the faces up early and ready to start the day on a healthy note. Soak in the image of bystanders watching and cheering for the racers. Don’t rush to get to the finish line simply to get the race over and done with, but instead be grateful to be part of an event that only takes place once per year.

Instead of waiting restlessly on the couch for food to be finished, why not volunteer your services and help the hostess with meal preparations? Not only will the food get finished faster, but you may also learn a thing or two in the kitchen from the people you love. New recipes, baking tips, and sentimental stories may all be shared when cooking together.

Then when dinner is served and everyone is ready to feast, take a good look around the room. Do your best to eat slowly while consciously reminding yourself of your blessings. Having a family, a plate full of food, a warm home, and another year to celebrate Thanksgiving are gifts in themselves. Focus on how delicious the food is, but don’t let it take away from what really matters. I can guarantee that if you look to your left and your right, you’ll find those sitting next to you are more important and bring more joy to your life than the turkey and mashed potatoes on your plate.

This Thanksgiving, I urge you to simply stay present in the moments and focus on the memories you make with those you love. We are never guaranteed another holiday, or even another day, so my hope for you is that tomorrow will be the best Thanksgiving yet. Enjoy. Soak it up. Laugh. Live fully in the moment. Be thankful.