BEING
THANKFUL
Finally, a holiday that transcends the lines of ethnicity
and religion (let’s put aside the trend of big box stores opening on this
quintessential American holiday and threatening it’s very existence for a
moment), and focuses on the core of who we are as humans—beings who are capable
of giving thanks.
Without a doubt, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday simply
because I can fully participate without any feelings of something missing. I
grew up in a large (I mean huge, not just large by Jewish standards), family
with five siblings and dozens of cousins and aunts and uncles. Our Thanksgivings were noisy,
chaotic, multi-generational, gastronomical wonders, and quite frankly, a little
insane.
On that day I was just like everyone else in our
neighborhood. I didn’t have to apologize for not having decorations on our
house, I didn’t have to explain that I couldn't eat cake at Sally’s birthday
party because it was Passover, I didn’t have to talk about Chanukah and that it
really isn't the “Jewish Christmas”, I didn’t have to endure the “Jews killed
Christ” comments at school. None of that mattered on Thanksgiving—we were all
immigrants in one way or another and we were all thankful for something.
Over the years our traditions have changed, our big, noisy
family has evolved. Many of us are now part of interfaith families and we are
scattered across the country. Of necessity we have created new traditions.
Still, for me, that sense of this being a day that goes to our core values and
our ability to give thanks stays with me. It may sound corny and schmaltzy but
it still works in my world.
What about you? What core values evoke a sense of
thankfulness for you? How do you want to
move forward into this holiday season with the sweetness of being thankful in
your heart? Have you considered giving thankfulness a more prominent place in
your holiday planning instead of frenetic activity?
Here’s a challenge for you this week:
- Think about the messages you are sending to your loved ones and the toll the holidays take on you each year.
- Then think about whether or not there is a better way of spending the next six weeks.
- Take a chapter from Shabbat and try unplugging from some of the commotion.
- Make some active decisions about what you want to pursue rather than doing everything because they are things you have always done or can do.
May your blessings abound and may you be surrounded by loved
ones on Thanksgiving. If you find yourself alone this Thanksgiving Day, find a
place to volunteer your time and energy. There are many worthwhile
organizations that always need an extra pair of hands—hospitals, nursing homes,
homeless shelters, Ronald McDonald Houses are a few that come to mind.
And, as always, if you are interested in having a
conversation about discovering, clarifying and prioritizing your core values
please contact me at www.interfaithlifecoaching.com.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Margaret
