I have to say, I’m inspired. I was just essentially told that Thanksgiving sucks!
I was asked by a prospective guest to my families dinner if we’re going to spend a lot of time with reflective thanksgiving conversation. The guest wanted to know if we’ll make the “sharing what we’re thankful for” part snappy or will it be a long drawn out boring precursor to finally enjoying themselves?
I have to admit, I was a little taken aback. To me, Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday.
The reason is that it’s a chance to spend time with people you love. It’s an opportunity to tell them how much they mean to you. It’s a time to take a breath and thank God for what He has done over the course of the year. The harvest season usually brings an over abundance of delicious food. Being thankful, eating, drinking, talking. What more can you ask for?
I love taking a moment to offer up thanks to God who has done all of the heavy lifting all year round. No matter how hard the year has been or how many trials.
I don’t know about you but for me life is always busy. I hardly ever get the time to tell those around me how much I appreciate them. I don’t think a simple “thank you” is enough either. Everyone in my life is so unique. They all are extraordinary in their own unique way and I like to make sure they know it.
Am I going to hurry up cow girl and get on with it quickly? Probably not. The people in my life are too important to rush along like I usually do with everything else. I rush through my workout in the morning. I rush through work. I rush through errands. I rush through house and yard work.
No, I will not rush through my thank you’s. Does that mean I’m going to drone on and on about my perspective and my opinions to the dreary boredom of everyone sitting at the table. Heck no.
Thanksgiving isn’t about me. It’s about thanking God and thanking those around me. I’m not going to spend one second telling anyone about how they should thank me. Goodness gracious.
So, for any guest that would dare step over my threshold this Thanksgiving. Be warned. You might just be showered with thanks. Thanks for God and thanks for you too.
If that doesn’t give you enough reason to be thankful, here are a few more.
Thanksgiving is a United States holiday originated as a day to give thanks to God. If you are shocked by that or disagree just read the Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789
Thanksgiving Proclamation
[New York, 3 October 1789]
By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
DS, CStbK; DS, DLC:GW; copy, sold by Christie, Manson, & Woods, International, 21 Oct. 1977. The proclamation was also printed as a broadside. Copies of the broadside are at Harvard University, Yale University, and the Pierpont Morgan Library. Other copies are owned (1992) by Marshall B. Coyne, Washington, D.C., and Ralph Geoffrey Newman, Inc., Chicago.
Thanksgiving 2020
Lots of people have seriously considered skipping Thanksgiving this year. It’s no wonder. We can all agree. 2020 has been a terrible year for most people in one way or another. It will certainly go down in history as such.
To this end it makes sense to just scratch Thanksgiving 2020. Before you throw it out let me remind you of a few things you will miss.
Amazing Food
Lets face it. There is one United States meal that stands out above the rest. The Thanksgiving meal is a winner. Most people agree, otherwise Cracker Barrel wouldn’t be a big restaurant chain. Their menu is basically Thanksgiving all year round.
People
I was going to title this, People You Love. However, Thanksgiving is one of those times that you just can’t help to open your door to almost anyone in need of a good meal and some company. Your guests may or may not be your favorite people. It doesn’t matter. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and what better way to do this then to share what you have with others regardless of how much or how little you love them.
Tryptophan
Tripto what? Tryptophan is the hormone that your body releases after it receives a good dose of turkey. It’s the one that makes you feel relaxed. The one that makes you want to snuggle up with someone, kick up your feet and watch football. Or a movie.
Happiness
Thinking of what you are thankful for makes you happy. The brain is an incredible chemistry set. When you focus on positivity your brain releases happy hormones. When you complain your brain releases hormones that increase anxiety and depression. When you are thankful it releases hormones like serotonin and dopamine. These make you feel happy, relaxed, at ease and calm.
Being a thankful person impacts everyone you come into contact with. Think about it. Who do you most want to spend time with? Someone who complains? Or someone who talks about things in a thankful, positive way? Which person do you want to be? The law of attraction says that like attracts like. If you are a baby whiner then you will be drawn to and comfortable with other complainers. If you focus on being thankful and positive, that is the type of person that will be drawn to you.
I hope after your reminded of these Thanksgiving benefits you will be reminded of how great this holiday is and keep it. Don’t throw it out with 2020. It hasn’t forced you to wear a mask. It hasn’t had all of your kids hangered at your house on their laptops trying to get through school online. It hasn’t closed your favorite restaurant or shattered their store front.
