Was this the first Thanksgiving?
On this Thanksgiving Holiday, many of us will be in tight quarters with those we love. Some we seldom see, some we dearly love, some we find irritating, some are tired and the celebration duties are wearisome, some have lost loved ones and are grieving, and some of us are simply alone, either by choice or by circumstance.
Is it possible to be carefree about tradition? Unyielding to keep things the same and capture old memories can be destructive to relationships as folks often come from different traditional backgrounds.
The Thanksgiving celebration is not about food, though food is part of the celebration and tradition, but the day is set aside to give thanks, share hope and love, and keep in mind forgiveness, tolerance, understanding, acceptance, kindness, sharing, and change. Yes change. Nothing can stay the same … or like a pool of water, it becomes stagnant.
How many ways can we show our love? Giving thanks every day of the year?
- Care for loved ones when illness strikes.
- Back off when loved one is frustrated. Ranting space is often a need.
- Do something unusual and unexpected for another.
- When you need praise or attention, don’t assume the loved one will know it … ask! We all need to be appreciated and for them to know we need that from them could make them feel valued.
- Enjoy the freedom from judging those who are different, or who are struggling with problems.
- Give loved ones freedom to grow, and let the loved ones know that you also, need to grow.
- Trust, if not in them, in God (My spiritual life does not include religion, but to each his own.)
- Allow freedom, accept the present, and give messages of hope.
- Find something to admire and mention it.
- Don’t expect loved ones to make you happy.
- Happiness is within, but we grow through tough times, evolving to a higher plane.
This is a lofty list but can we be thankful for that which we desire to achieve, and for that which we already have?
Wishing a very wonder-filled day in America to all the Thanksgiving celebrants, and to the world in general.
Nov 27, 2011 @ 20:30:19
Ah, Tameri, glad you enjoyed the post. The thoughts and additions shared in the comments are better than the post!
Have a wonderful Holiday Season!
LikeLike
Nov 27, 2011 @ 05:56:52
Fabulous list and things we need to be considerate of every day, not just Thanksgiving. Change, for me, is essential and every year I make something new for Thanksgiving or Christmas. In a way, that’s become our tradition. What crazy thing will mom make this year?!
In allowing change, it also allows the freedom to forgive, to love, to alter course in relationships and life. I love that life is so fluid and being open to any possibility fulfills me. Wonderful post, Marion!
LikeLike
Nov 25, 2011 @ 22:23:09
Well said, Marion! You always have words of wisdom that hit home for me. I’m in the camp of allowing, feeling, spreading good energy – no matter what day of the year. Thank you for the reminder!
LikeLike
Nov 26, 2011 @ 13:18:05
You are indeed, Diana, in the camp of allowing, feeling, spreading good energy … and we can tell from your blogs. If I knew how to insert Your URL in a comment, I would, but lacking that, anyone interested can copy: here it is: http://dianamurdock.wordpress.com/
LikeLike
Nov 27, 2011 @ 20:24:50
Well, what’d ya know? To get a URL in a comment, just type it and WordPress makes it a link! Who knew? Duh.
LikeLike
Nov 23, 2011 @ 22:09:30
A loftly list, yes, but I wholeheartedly concur. Happy Thanksgiving to you. I am thankful for your blog!
LikeLike
Nov 24, 2011 @ 12:05:09
And I am thankful for you! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, what is left of the day
LikeLike
Nov 23, 2011 @ 18:58:12
You’ve summed it up very nicely. It’s always a good to do something kind and unexpected for someone. The commercialization of the holiday somehow takes away from the spirit of the holiday. It doesn’t matter whether I’m dining on a twenty pound turkey or a rotisserie chicken from Costco, I’m happy and grateful for the company of my family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLike
Nov 24, 2011 @ 12:02:01
Hope you are having a special day as well. Late with my replies to comments, but love that you and the others stopped y.
LikeLike
Nov 23, 2011 @ 15:13:43
I would add “Appreciate the differences that make each of us special.” I am always thankful that my friends are not clones of some master copy. Sometimes our differences cause friction, but imagine how limited all our lives would be if we all wanted to go the same places and do the same things! I try to keep an open mind and value the knowledge and skills that others possess, and I hope family, friends, and strangers will do the same for me. Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLike
Nov 24, 2011 @ 09:17:54
Great comment, Pam. I agree. Thanks and wishing you a Happy Thansgiving as well.
LikeLike
Nov 23, 2011 @ 09:27:59
I, for one, love the “Do something unusual and unexpected for another.” Sometimes, this is as simple as letting someone with 1 or 2 items go ahead of you in line at the grocery store. Random acts of kindness are a wonderful for a daily smile. 🙂
LikeLike
Nov 23, 2011 @ 09:34:14
Thanks for stopping by, Laurie, on this very busy day for many! I loved the poem you shared on your blog as well … http://llblog2010.wordpress.com/
Marion Spicher (Life is a treasure hunt) Blog: https://marionspicher.wordpress.com/ Webpage: http://www.marionspicher.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MarionSpicher Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarionSpicher
LikeLike