Where Did Thanksgiving Go?

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is already in full swing. I love this time of year! There are so many wonderful things that remind us what it means to be thankful: the crisp air, the outdoor festivities, bon fires, hot chocolate, music, etc. However, each year there’s something that stands out that always bothers me just a little. It seems like the minute the Halloween decorations come down, the Christmas decorations go up. Now, there’s nothing wrong with decorating or getting really excited for the Christmas season. However, many times people will overlook Thanksgiving or even bypassed altogether. It just doesn’t seem to get the credit that it deserves.

The Meaning Behind The Words

So why do I love this holiday in particular so much? Well, let me share. I love the fact that unlike most other holidays, Thanksgiving doesn’t have the flash and consumerism built around it. People don’t get all stressed out and bent out of shape. It’s simply a time to gather together with loved ones and be thankful. I mean, what an incredible concept. It’s literally in the name! When you think about it, it seems ironic. It’s almost as if we are not-thankful the rest of the year, so we create a whole day for it. Nonetheless, it’s the time of year when we intentionally reflect on the blessings we have. Hopefully we will spend some much-needed time off with family and friends without any expectation or stress. Or at least that’s what it should be…

Another Perspective

I couldn’t say it any better, so here’s how RBT’s blog post puts it.

I Want More!

“Yet isn’t it easy to want more than what we have? If you’ve raised children or you can remember your days as a child, you’re probably familiar with the word ‘more.’ A child can have a room full of toys but still want more than what they have. Although we grow out of a lot of childhood tendencies as adults, wanting ‘more’ is one that is hard to outgrow. We never seem to be satisfied with what we have. We want a bigger house, a new or fancier car, or the latest gadgets and luxury items. If we’re not living our definition of the ‘American Dream,’ we may feel like we’re behind everyone else”.

Count Your Blessings

Sometimes it’s difficult to look at what we have and be thankful for just that. The material blessings with which we’ve been bestowed are far more than what others have. Living in the United States, it’s very easy to take what we have for granted. According to the Pew Research Center, by a global standard, a majority of Americans are considered ‘high income’, meaning they live on more than $50 daily. In fact, did you know that if you make $32,000 per year, you’re in the top 1% of the richest people in the world by income? As much as we want to add to our net worth, we have to recognize that beyond our country’s borders, there are many who have so much less. In fact, others around the world may not have what we consider to be even basic necessities”.