During the holidays we often get caught up in the rush of it all – shopping, cooking, baking – that we forget to take a breather and consider everything we should be thankful for. Around Thanksgiving, nothing is more important than family.
We tend to put the true meaning of Thanksgiving aside until the main event; dinner with all the trimmings. It may be a better practice to consider the many things we are thankful for throughout the holiday season, spending as much quality time with our families as possible. When the hustle and bustle of everyday life kicks in, we rarely have the time to focus on the people that truly make us feel loved and accepted.
Family-time shouldn’t be a forced affair. It should be a regular part of our daily lives. Especially during the holidays, it may be a good idea to involve everyone in the planning stages leading up to the festivities. Spend time in the kitchen together, make the effort to fit in at least one lengthy chat to show you care, make more than one cup of tea at a time. Consider the people you live with on a daily basis and do something for them before doing whatever it is you would usually do for yourself.
Another great way to bond as a family is to consider those who have less to be thankful for. Band together to do something for those who are less fortunate. If volunteering at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving is not quite your slice of pie, then perhaps consider make some extra food for the traditional feast and donate it to a shelter, orphanage, or home. You would be amazed at how amazing it feels to give back to the community, particularly at a time of the year when so many people are struggling with the heavy burden of loneliness.
Create a positive behavioral pattern that becomes a habit. You will soon find that this is definitely the kind of habit worth having. Thanksgiving can last throughout the year if you take the steps to make it happen.
