Do You Really Know How to be Thankful?
Thanksgiving time has finally arrived. Time to cheat our diets, kick-up our feet, and create positive energy with family and friends. I can’t wait. I’m ready for the good, the bad and the ugly. After all, you never know what you might encounter this year with your family. Family is so unpredictable. Yet, predictable in so many ways.
I have decided that I am going to be thankful no matter what this Thanksgiving brings. I’m going to be thankful for the intrusive questions. I’m going to be thankful for the recipes that people are testing for the first time. I’m going to be thankful for being included in the Thanksgiving group text. I’m just simply going to be thankful.
You should do the same. But do you know how to be thankful? I know it’s hard but that’s okay. Here are some ideas of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving:
Be Thankful That You Were Included in the “Thanksgiving Group Text”.
There is a post that has been circulating on social media stating, “I don’t know who needs to hear this but don’t include me in that Thanksgiving group text.”
Although those group texts may be annoying, be thankful if someone includes you in a Thanksgiving group text. Not everyone gets included in those group texts that you take for granted each year. Yet, some people don’t get texts at all.
Don’t push away people who care about you by saying don’t text me. The same people who claim that they don’t want to be included in group texts are the same people who complain that no one cares about them.
I have experienced friends who said that they would rather not get texts from me on Thanksgiving. Just to turn into the same friends who claim no one reaches out to them during important times.
You are entitled to your preference when it comes to people texting you. However, own whatever energy you put into the world. If you don’t want to be included in Thanksgiving group texts, don’t be surprised when some people stop including you in texts altogether.
If the Thanksgiving group text annoys you, respond, then delete and/or mute it until the communication is over. Yet, don’t encourage people not to reach out to you. Be thankful that they considered reaching out in the first place.
Be Thankful that Someone Cared Enough to Cook.
In this season of the Popeye’s chicken sandwich, along with all the other fast food options, some people are falling victim to the routine of not cooking. This leads to fewer people stressing over creating a Thanksgiving menu, to more people calling other family and friends to ask, “Who’s cooking this year?”
As you make plans to take your family to someone else’s house, prepare to be thankful. Know that it’s not your role to criticize the macaroni and cheese, or to call the turkey too dry. If you could’ve done it better, you should’ve stayed at home and done it yourself. Or, you could’ve gone to the person’s home where you knew it would be cooked to your liking. However, chances are that person isn’t cooking this year either.
So, remember to leave your opinions about macaroni and cheese, or whatever else, at home. You should appreciate the people who stepped up to the challenge to cook this year. Cherish those family members that rather display their questionable cooking skills than sacrifice Thanksgiving.
Be Thankful for the Family Who Still Come Around.
Sometimes we look forward to Thanksgiving time so that we can connect with our favorite family members. The cousin who you created some of your best members with. Your grandmother who always considered you her favorite. Or simply, your newborn niece that you can’t wait to bond with. Connecting with family is so valuable.
Unfortunately, over time the ability to connect with certain family members becomes difficult. Family members may move to other states. Your extended family may travel to spend Thanksgiving with new family members. Or a ton of other situations may keep you from connecting with your loved ones.
Nonetheless, enjoy the presence of the family members that you do get to connect with. Make your time with those family members loving and memorable. In doing so, you will create a safe place for the family to look forward to coming to next year.
Be Thankful for the Courage to Resist Being Triggered.
Thanksgiving time exposes us to the true essence of who we are. One of the only times throughout the year, where you get together with the family who understands who you truly are. With this understanding comes laughs, joy, cries, and sometimes triggers. Your family knows the exact words to say or the things to do to get under your skin.
When you feel yourself becoming triggered this Thanksgiving, remember to be Thankful. Be grateful for the courage to resist being triggered.
You know that Aunt So-and-So needs to mind her business about your new boyfriend or your fertility status. You know that Cousin Such-and Such needs to stop bringing up the same story every year. The one that makes everyone argue and ruins Thanksgiving.
Whatever triggering characteristics your family members may have, just be thankful and patient. Go into your family functions prepared for the unpleasant moments. Yet, try not to let those moments get under your skin.
Resist the urge to argue, gossip, or feed the negative energy that may arise. However, if you just cannot avoid the energy, tell everyone you love them and leave peacefully. At best, have a proper response or diversion to offset the drama before it can manifest.
Just Be Thankful. Period.
No matter what the circumstances are you must be thankful. Period. Humble yourself by knowing that you may be spending this Thanksgiving better than a lot of people. Unfortunately, some people will be spending this holiday season without food, relatives, peace, and/or shelter. If you happen to have all those things and people, please count your blessings.
Try not to complain about anything this Thanksgiving. If you just so happen to complain, remind yourself that you are blessed.
If you are able and willing, extend some of your blessings to others. Give food out to the homeless. Visit people you know may be spending Thanksgiving alone. Bring peace into every place you visit this week. However, if you are unable to extend help to others, just simply be thankful.
Ultimately, being thankful may not be easy but make sure you try your best. Be excited when that group text comes in wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. Bite into every piece of food with joy and appreciation in your heart. Embrace every family member you get the chance to see. Be thankful that you have control over your emotions enough to resist being triggered. And, regardless of what may happen, be thankful anyway.
