As many of us know, the event that Americans commonly call the “first Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. This feast lasted three days and was attended by 90 Native American people and 53 survivors of the Mayflower, the Pilgrims. They found a way to look past their differences, even if just for a friendly sharing of a meal.
For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, during the Civil War that President Abe Lincoln presented a National Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
In 1939, not only was an amazing aunt of mine born, but that is the year that President F.D. Roosevelt changed Thanksgiving a week in an attempt to soar retail sales during the Great Depression.
A Thanksgiving staple so universal it has become equal with the holiday, Turkey. Today, however, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird—whether roasted, baked, or deep-fried on Thanksgiving. Other traditional foods include Italian dishes, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and a variety of sweets for dessert. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often host food drives, host free dinners for the less fortunate. Parades have also become an integral part of the holiday in cities and towns across America.
Thanksgiving has become a time when we recognize all the people and things, we should be thankful for in our lives. Then, we can “give thanks” by volunteering ourselves to help others in need, helping others in a way beneficial to ourselves and others. And, it turns out, that this is beneficial to our mental, physical, emotional health, as well as our relationships.
Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received from another. Whether someone gives us a hug, a card or is just there to listen when we need an open ear, these are all examples of gratitude. Thankfulness is the natural instinct to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is reacting to that impulse and following it. Gratitude helps us to see what IS in our lives instead of what is not.
Thanksgiving could be a time we reflect on everything we are thankful for as we are hopefully surrounded by people who matter to us the most. Showing love, hope, forgiveness, and gratitude can go a long way and even improve or start off relationships. Whether thanking a stranger for holding a door for you, sending a thank you email to a coworker or relative to let them know how much you appreciate them, or writing a note or a card for a veteran or a homeless person—like we collect at Lifeofpretty.com/cardsforvets.
As we all celebrate this Thanksgiving, may we possibly keep in mind those less fortunate, who are, just like so many, doing their best living paycheck to paycheck, homeless, dealing with an illness or ill family member and may not have the chance to experience that amazing Thanksgiving dinner available to many of us.
Donating our time, finding things others need is a great start, but sadly just being aware of this will not change anything. We need more people to volunteer, donate and give time to help others. However, keeping these and other ideas in mind, doing what we can to help and be there for them will always make a huge, deeply appreciated difference.
Gratitude and selflessness increase our mental resilience, inner strength, and peace. Not only that but by being aware and doing our part to support others, truly makes an impact for some many we may never have the pleasure of meeting. By volunteering, donating requested items, or even buying a coffee, sandwich, or giving a gift card to a homeless person on the street truly helps. Helping an elderly neighbor shovel snow or carry in groceries are beautiful expressions of outward altruism.
Anyway, we can help alleviate not just others’ stress, even temporarily, knowing the impact you had on another’s life, will hopefully lighten any personal stress you might have as well.
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Best Wishes this Holiday Season!!
