Thanksgiving is an exceptional holiday when all a body has to do is eat until stuffed, and grab a quick glance at a large balloon floating over Macy’s or a Hail Mary college pass. Of course, heavy sighing and unbuckling belts are also traditional happenings on this fourth Thursday of November, along with wedges of pumpkin and apple pie being passed on too, too small dessert plates.
For many Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the whole year. Nothing is expected except food, and that usually comes in waves carried by throngs passing over the host’s threshold. It’s a day of sharing and appreciating all the good things that have blessed us throughout the year. Thanksgiving makes us all feel warm and wonderful!
As a couple’s counselor, I see many people who like to focus on the negative aspects of their relationship. Changing that perspective is a challenging aspect of my work. Last week a client proudly announced every day in November he was going to identify one specific thing he was thankful for, until he sat down at the dinner table to feast on ol’ Tom Turkey. He felt we all go about our daily lives without thinking of our blessings. Being a realist, he would try this exercise for one month, hoping it would become a habit for him. What a pleasure to hear this!
Most of us instantly name the really big things when we begin our Things I Am Thankful For list. Good health, family, friends, success, beautiful homes, and stuff like that first come to mind. Try breaking those categories into manageable tidbits to acknowledge the little things in life that are so precious to us. Relationships don’t usually appear on that list, but shouldn’t they be near the top?
