Thanksgiving
I love Thanksgiving. It is the only holiday that is celebrated without religious fanfare. Yes, the first Thanksgiving, the Christian Pilgrims gave thanks to God for their survival in their bleak new homeland. And, yes, some people go to church religiously on Thanksgiving. However, it has evolved into a traditional American holiday everyone can celebrate including expats living in the US, tourists, foreign students, visitors, US families living abroad, such as mine, and for people who just like the idea of a Thanksgiving feast.
The main point of Thanksgiving is to be grateful for what you have right now. It is a time to reflex on your blessings no matter how big or small. A time to look around and say thank you to God, the universe, your friends, family, and all your loved ones.
My family and I have celebrated Thanksgiving, turkey, stuffing and all, in five different countries. We have a tradition that every guest must state what he or she is thankful for but it cannot be friends, family, and health, which I find is what most people say as the easy way out. I am astonished at how hard it is for people to dig just a bit deeper into the soul. I don’t give anyone a free pass on this. And I do give plenty advance warning so they can prepare.
This year given the racial violence that is erupting in Ferguson, MO, USA and in the Middle East, I gave thanks that we live in a peaceful country. No war, no violence, no outrageous school shootings, here in Germany. Yet everyday I give thanks to God for all the little things as well as the big things in life: firewood, Christmas lights, four seasons, a reliable car, flowers, toilets that flush properly (huh???), walking paths, fresh bread, chocolate, just to name a few. A client told me that this year she is very grateful for her washing machine, the pumps, the water, the sun, the rain, and the clean clothes.
Gratitude is what brings happiness in life. I challenge you to think of what you are grateful at this moment. Dig just a little deeper. Look around the room and think of one thing you are thankful for. Is it the computer, printer, a cozy bed to read in, flannel sheets? Just appreciating these things can bring more joy into your life.
I love Thanksgiving. It is the only holiday that is celebrated without religious fanfare. Yes, the first Thanksgiving, the Christian Pilgrims gave thanks to God for their survival in their bleak new homeland. And, yes, some people go to church religiously on Thanksgiving. However, it has evolved into a traditional American holiday everyone can celebrate including expats living in the US, tourists, foreign students, visitors, US families living abroad, such as mine, and for people who just like the idea of a Thanksgiving feast.
The main point of Thanksgiving is to be grateful for what you have right now. It is a time to reflex on your blessings no matter how big or small. A time to look around and say thank you to God, the universe, your friends, family, and all your loved ones.
My family and I have celebrated Thanksgiving, turkey, stuffing and all, in five different countries. We have a tradition that every guest must state what he or she is thankful for but it cannot be friends, family, and health, which I find is what most people say as the easy way out. I am astonished at how hard it is for people to dig just a bit deeper into the soul. I don’t give anyone a free pass on this. And I do give plenty advance warning so they can prepare.
This year given the racial violence that is erupting in Ferguson, MO, USA and in the Middle East, I gave thanks that we live in a peaceful country. No war, no violence, no outrageous school shootings, here in Germany. Yet everyday I give thanks to God for all the little things as well as the big things in life: firewood, Christmas lights, four seasons, a reliable car, flowers, toilets that flush properly (huh???), walking paths, fresh bread, chocolate, just to name a few. A client told me that this year she is very grateful for her washing machine, the pumps, the water, the sun, the rain, and the clean clothes.
Gratitude is what brings happiness in life. I challenge you to think of what you are grateful at this moment. Dig just a little deeper. Look around the room and think of one thing you are thankful for. Is it the computer, printer, a cozy bed to read in, flannel sheets? Just appreciating these things can bring more joy into your life.
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