Do you still celebrate holidays the way you did when you were a kid? I don't. (If you're happy with your Thanksgiving traditions awesome! If you're ready for a shift, read ahead.)
Holidays have a certain emotional tinge for me. Mine was a mixed bag growing up: great food, tons of family, and lots of crazy stuff too. You never knew when crazy would strike, either. I know a lot about what I don't want for the holidays.
One of the opportunities when creating your life anew is to explore inherited traditions and rituals. Whether they're religious or secular you get to choose again and re-invent them.
Ready to Honor Thanksgiving Your Way?
It took me a bit to figure out how I'd prefer to celebrate. Today, my Thanksgivings include food and family and none of the drama. Fewer peaks and valleys, more quiet and ongoing joy. I notice the abundance of what matters most. I find that I need less and less. Life is more spontaneous and joyous. Grace arises frequently.
As you set about to honor the energy of Thanksgiving your way allow yourself to focus on what it means to you. You might . . .
- focus less on food, more on family and friends
- give less criticism, more praise
- release old holiday habits, invent new traditions
- acknowledge what's right, not wrong
Notice which past traditions still serve, and invite new rituals and ways to celebrate. Know that however you choose to spend the day – and no matter where you find yourself – you can choose to give thanks in abundant and infinite ways.
Here's a Thanksgiving blessing that I wrote during my 5-Day Blissings & Blessings Event:
Blessing For Thanks
Thank you
for the goodness that abounds
and friends, like family, that surround
Thank you
for troubled times and tender touch
to know my weakness, to feel so much
Thank you
for darkest night and brightest day
and for your love to know the way
Thank you
for hands and heart to know what’s right
to feel the force, to be the light
Thank you
for joy, and even, pain
to know that love is what remains
If you find yourself alone this Thanksgiving, make sure to feature self-love in your day. It's a way to honor you and the holiday! May you honor Thanksgiving in a way that brings you ease, joy, and grace!
