Holiday Craziness Leave No Time for Thankfulness?

We are quickly headed towards the hustle and bustle of “The Holiday Season”. The weather is cool but the social calendar is heating up! It’s a time when the “events” sometimes overshadow the meaning and significance of the actual holidays. With the holiday right around the corner and the to-do list mounting… how will YOU find time to be THANKFUL?

It’s easy! Try these 3 simple tips:

1. Start a Gratitude Journal

I originally heard about this concept years ago on Oprah! Get yourself a journal or spiral bound notebook and schedule time with yourself each day/week/month to reflect on where you are and to acknowledge 3 – 5 things for which you are grateful. No matter how hectic or terrible things may be or feel, there is always something for which you can be grateful! Don’t just write, “I’m grateful for my spouse.” Instead, be specific and try to capture the feelings of your gratitude like, “I’m grateful for Brian’s strong hands and the terrific back rubs he gives me relieving my tensions.”

Starting your journal might feel awkward at first, but the more you do it, the easier and more rewarding it becomes. Re-reading it can also be a great pick-me-up when you’ve had a particularly bad week. It’s hard to stay down when you can see in black and white all that you have for which you are grateful!

2. The Thanks is in the Giving!

One of the BEST holidays my husband, Brian, and I had was the year we adopted two sailors from the local Naval base. They were two young recruits going through basic training and had not been off base for about 8 weeks. I picked them up from a central location and brought them back to our home. I already had the turkey in the oven and started cooking some cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I accidentally burned the bottoms of all the rolls! I was so disappointed, and a little embarrassed, but the young men were gracious (and hungry!). They cut off the bottoms and ate them up, complimenting me in the process. They were so glad to have “real food”!

Our family enjoyed spending time with the young men, and, after dinner, we encouraged the boys to phone their families. Each family was so glad to hear from their son and know he had a home cooked meal (I didn’t burn the dinner) so far from home. It ended up being a real blessing to us as well as the young men who shared in our festivities.

Not sure how to give of yourself? Bring a meal to a friend or neighbor who could use some encouragement, volunteer at your local food pantry or PADS location, contact the local churches in your area and see what needs YOU might be able to fill. I guarantee you a much higher return than what you give out! It also takes surprisingly less time than you’d think.

3. Remember What REALLY Matters

In the end, it won’t matter who made the turkey, if Aunt Sue brought her special pie, or which team won the football game. What WILL matter are the connections you deepened with your friends and family, and the memories you can store in your heart. It really is the little things…like standing in the kitchen talking with your Great Grandma while she carves the bird and slips you a scrap of meat when no one is looking. Or everyone sitting around the table enjoying dessert and sharing one thing they are really grateful for this year.

Instead of retreating to the couch or TV after the meal, play a game everyone can enjoy, or just sit together and really listen to one another. You may be surprised at what you will learn. Who knows, you may just start a new tradition!

Wishing you a meaningful holiday season!