Thanksgiving is upon us. We can see everyone hustling around town, buying the biggest turkey, the more elaborate decorations and table cloth, the finest wine, and the best-tasting pumpkin pie. But is that what this time is really all about? Don’t forget the words in the name. Thanksgiving, a time for thanks and giving.
Don’t get me wrong; having a spectacular Thanksgiving turkey dinner with your family is a fun part of this time of year. But it is also important to remain focused on the true meaning of this holiday which lies in its name…
‘Thanks .. &… Giving.’
What are you thankful for? When is the last time you gave some of yourself, your love, or your care to someone else? How do you want to show your gratitude towards others or yourself this season?
These are great questions to ask. When you get distracted, remember the importance of remaining grateful, humble, and generous during these busy months. We know it’s not always easy when there is so much going on, so we thought it would be fun to give you a few ideas of how to stay focused on the most important parts of this holiday season…Thanksgiving…Thank & Give.
Thanksgiving, A Time For Thanks & Giving
Write it down
When you are feeling overwhelmed, whether it is juggling your kids, job, activities, prepping for the holidays, or just being overly emotional, write it down and take a break.
Keep a journal -This will allow you to process stress or negativity. By writing it down, you are taking it off your mind. You can process more easily what is going on, reflect, and enjoy a moment of peace from it all. The more you can filter through your thoughts and feelings by putting them down on paper, the better, more clear-minded you will feel.
Keep a schedule – Write down what you need to get done. How and when you will complete the tasks at hand. But don’t forget to make time for fun, for love, and yourself during these busy times.
Set aside time
Try to make a routine of setting aside parts of your day to spend quality time with your family, friends, and yourself. Even if it is only for a few minutes, go outside and play a game with your kids, call your best friend, go for a hike. Take some time to garden and plant some of your favorite flowers with your partner. Do some yoga or meditation by yourself. Sometimes you need actually to schedule time for these types of activities. Make it a priority to take a step back. This will help you cherish the people around you or get much needed alone time!
Talk it out
Sometimes the best way to show gratitude is to talk about and acknowledge it. Talk to your loved ones or even a co-worker a few times a week about the things which you are genuinely grateful. Think about all of the positive aspects of your life that make you feel lucky and happy today and every day. Over time your mind will automatically be focused on the positives instead of the negatives. The more you talk about what you are thankful for, the more other people will listen and want to talk about all of the things they are grateful for as well! It’s like a gratitude circle of love, and it will have everyone feeling better, especially during these fun but busy and somewhat stressful times.
Take action
Showing your love, care, and generosity will not only help you remember the true meaning behind this holiday, it will also help others to recognize the importance and to feel cared for! Start contributing to a food drive or donate to a meaningful cause. It is too often, during these holidays that we become caught up in our own lives – needs and wants, that we might forget about other’s wants and needs.
There are people all around the world that don’t have enough money or time to buy a piece of bread for their family, let alone an entire turkey dinner. Give back to the community and the world around you. Help those who are in need and who may not have enough to provide for themselves or their families. You will not only be helping other people feel happy during these times, but you will also feel better knowing you have contributed to making a positive difference in someone’s life.
Have fun and let loose
With all of these more serious topics, it is definitely important to remember one of the more important aspects. It might be the simplest of all – to have fun! Spend time and laugh with family and friends, play games, cook food, watch football, play, cuddle up next to your loved ones by the toasty fire. Drink some tea or wine. Eat yummy food, and feel relaxed! We live in a busy world and society, of working, paying the bills, and being responsible for so many things. It is crucial during these holidays to take a step back and enjoy the present moment. Have fun with your family while you can. Make the most of the time you have during these ‘breaks.’ Put all business on hold for a minute and enjoy your life and the people in it.
AND if you can’t seem to chill enough to have fun and let loose, if you can’t calm the nerves, if you can’t help but feel overwhelmed during these times, remember that you can ALWAYS book a massage with one of our amazing therapists here at Kneading Hands! You will be feeling rejuvenated and ready for fun after one of our relaxing, therapeutic massages!
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy these times, and do the best you can. Be grateful. Give thanks. Give back. Have fun, and be happy! And remember thanksgiving, a time for thanks and giving.
Thanks · giv·ing: (noun) the expression of gratitude and generosity…
Related: The Gratitude Visit