Hey we are still here. We made it for the past year. Happy Thanksgiving Day!
estimated reading time: 7 mins
Thanksgiving is far from over and as always there are just a lot of things I am really thankful for. Other viewpoints suggest that thanksgiving should be done everyday. While true, I believe that there is value in having a designated day for reflection and remembrance. After all, it is too easy to forget.
Many times I find the challenges of daily life enough to make me distracted. Rest days seek entertainment and pleasure (which is totally okay by the way) for most of the time. But it can be said that giving thanks is a way of living that more often than not, can easily go unpracticed.
5 things I am thankful today
1 I am thankful that I am still here
Sometimes after I close my eyes to sleep, my last thoughts wander to something like: What if this is my last night? It is not impossible, is it? Last Sunday’s 2nd reading, 1 Thess 5:1-6, supported these thoughts that lingers within. Waking up I felt I was given another chance; to check on my core people, to enjoy the sunlight, to cook, to eat another meal, to chat with a friend, to create, to love and to live with joy.
2 I am thankful for my husband
He worked tirelessly yesterday. Today was his day off at work and he wanted to help me do the laundry and fold the clothes. He listened to me filling him in with the netflix series that I am currently into. He bought a new sweater for me for our upcoming trip and took me to a coffee date which is my most favorite thing. We grocery shopped and figured out why the cart abruptly stopped, locking its wheels on our way to the parking lot. We also realized we didn’t know where the parking lot was. Having him reduced the stress by half.
3 I am thankful for where I am
I am in a peaceful place. I have been reading about the wars happening on the other side of the world and how violent this life can be for other people. Yet here I am, tucked safely in the heart of a very vibrant city. My heart yearns and prays for the war victims. I am in a position where I can lend help. I am thankful to be given the capacity to help.
4 I am thankful for my body
Every part seems to be working well. My brain can process my next writing prompts, my fingers can still type away. I still have my voice to say good morning to the buffet lady assisting everybody for free breakfast. My legs work and I can still hop on a thread mill. My eyes can still recognize shapes, colors and letters; I can still read another 10 pages of the book I am trying to finish.
5 I am thankful for the gift of faith
One thing that keeps me going is the hope, goodness and inspiration brought about by the Infinite Divine. People call Him different names, but for me, I call Him God. Just as the epitome of the story of St. Paul’s conversion, faith, as to how I understand it, came from and is freely-given by God. We could have it if He willed for us to have it (evidenced by the story of the Emmaus Walk highlighted by Luke 24:31 and Jesus’ Appearance to the Disciples ith emphasis on Luke 24:45) and I’m just grateful that God let me recognize His presence in different situations in my life. Of course faith is not reserved for anyone, it is always available for everybody. I believe God lovingly imparts sprinkles of faith the moment we seek and willingly ask for it.
thankfulness vs. gratefulness
I noticed that being thankful and being grateful are often used interchangeably. I use the words reciprocally myself.
When I think about it, it seems like being thankful is expressing gratitude for receiving specific things; a transaction-based response to a favor or positive outcomes. While being grateful tends to convey deep appreciation for life as a whole; a general attitude or state of being and is not necessarily tied to a specific event.
I’m not saying one is better than the other,
but I think the practice of one, leads to the other.
Have you noticed how celebrating Thanksgiving for a day almost always gives the unsolicited impression of,
‘we should be thankful everyday, not just today.’?
It is as if Thanksgiving Day is a fuse for us to go bigger in giving thanks. It is beautiful to think about it that way – that the very nature of it inspires the mind to remember to be thankful everyday; introducing the idea that eventually leads to a gratitude-centered life.
why gratitude matter
Gratitude helps us to view our situations more optimistically and helps us to display generosity towards other people. When we are grateful, we are more appreciative and more likely to share kindness. In a way, it encourages other people to respond nicely and graciously too. It creates a ripple effect of positivity to the people around us and helps us to have genuine pleasure and contentment.
“When we focus our attention on the good in our lives, the components that are making us feel sad or worried are minimized. This [perspective] can give us a sense of emotional freedom and serenity, regardless of what we face.”
- Dr. Dani Moye of Harmony Cove Therapy
"It boosts dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters in the brain that improve your mood immediately, giving you those positive feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being."
- Dr. Kristin Francis of Huntsman Mental Health Institute
It is safe to say that gratitude makes us happier, healthier, more connected to others and motivated. It elevates our mindset, reduces stress, helps us deal with adversity and holistically benefits us in the long run.
final thoughts
Another reason for loving Thanksgiving is that it almost always marks the beginning of the advent. It happens just in time to count four Sundays before my favorite holiday! Jingle bells and holiday cheers, Christmas is almost here!
Awesome post! Love the photos!
Thank you, my friend! Consider sharing this to more of your friends!