Thanksgiving Mindfulness

Yes, Thanksgiving will look different this year. Yes, it kind of sucks. But, yes, we can still be thankful for the blessings we do have, and mindful of our practices to pay homage to the traditions that this holiday celebrates.

We can be thankful that we have friends and family who we can contact through modern technology, even if we can’t be together in person.

We can be thankful that we have food on our tables, even if it’s in smaller amounts than the past.

We can be thankful that there are healthcare and emergency workers who are helping to care for those that we or others love, even when we’re not with them.

We can be thankful for the things we do have - look around you and realize that there are many who can’t or don’t have the blessings that you might.

We can show thankfulness this holiday season by being mindful of the things we do have. Mindfulness just asks us to slow down and really think about the present moment. Here are some ideas you can try:

• Really listen when we are talking to our family and friends, whether in-person or via technology. Don’t assume how the story will end, don’t try to think of a related story you can share (I’m ALWAYS guilty of this), but just enjoy the person who is telling it and be grateful that they value your attention and want to share with you.

• Eat mindfully by enjoying the food that you have. Give thanks for the farmers who grew it, the retail workers who brought it to the store, the people who cooked it for you, and the Earth that it came from. Food can be our connection to the planet - there’s soil, water and sunshine in every bite. Take only what you intend to finish - leftovers are good for the next meal, and also good for the planet. Waste less.

• Practice gratitude by saying aloud things that we can all be thankful for. People, possessions, practices, traditions, health… The list is endless when we stop to think about it. If you need an all-encompassing statement of gratitude, at our house we try to close our day with:

Thank you for our friends and family, keep them happy, healthy and safe.

Thank you for everything we have, and everything we can do.

Remember to give thanks this Thanksgiving - to people, to the planet, to the past, and to the present moment.