By: Shaylin Smith
Thanksgiving is a holiday most people know and celebrate, but I would say it's largely underappreciated and overlooked. Thanksgiving can be seen as just one holiday closer to Christmas, but recently I have realized how special a day of reflection can be and how important maintaining gratefulness in your everyday life is. Here are a few ways to enjoy Thanksgiving and emphasize gratitude throughout your daily life.
Incorporate an Attitude of Thanksgiving Every Day
It is so easy to focus on the things going wrong in life and feel consumed by them. Although life can become overwhelming and challenging, taking a second and thinking about all of the good things can turn your day around. I love to do this through the Five Minute Gratitude Journal. It does only take five minutes and I love prioritizing this in the morning to start my day off on a positive note.
Look Around!!
Make sure to take time at the Thanksgiving table to recognize the people you are surrounded by and how thankful you are for them. We tend to take the people who are closest to us for granted. Take this opportunity to remind yourself and others how lucky you are to have them in your lives. True blessings are much more people-oriented than thing-oriented.
Small Acts of Kindness
Complement someone or express your appreciation for one person in your life each day this week. Doing something as small as sending a friend a good morning text reminding them you are thankful for them, buying someone's coffee behind you, or boosting someone's confidence through a compliment can change their day and yours too. Feeling grateful is important but expressing it to others is too.
Enjoy your Surroundings
Go on a walk or a drive and enjoy the changing of seasons and the place you call home. When we are around things every day, you can start to forget how much you love them. Go walk your favorite trail or drive to your favorite coffee shop to remind yourself how special it is that you get to be surrounded by somewhere you love. Engage your senses in a new way breathing in the fall air, listening to new sounds, and seeing your daily environment in fresh perspective.
Be Thankful for Yourself
We do not give ourselves enough credit. Be proud of yourself and thankful that you have accomplished all you have in this life. Be thankful you have a body capable of movement and a mind to help you learn. Thankfulness is the true start to happiness no matter our circumstances and on whatever day you are celebrating.
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