Giving Thanks Year-Round

Only a handful of countries celebrate the festival of Thanksgiving. Today in the United States, it’s more recognized as a time for family gatherings and food than for its historical significance. Canada, in turn, celebrates the holiday on the second Monday in October. Germany has the Harvest Thanksgiving Festival in early October; Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23; and Grenada has a national holiday known as Thanksgiving celebrated on October 25. Then there’s the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Ingathering, which is a time of rejoice and harvest. It’s observed on the 15th of the month of Tishri (either September or October) and lasts for seven days. With all of these holidays of Thanksgiving either approaching or passed, we need to reflect and ask ourselves…

What should we be grateful for?

Your family and friends are people to cherish in good times and in bad. The laughs, hugs and personal victories are much sweeter with loved ones beside you.

Perhaps you are fortunate to have the unconditional love of a pet. You share your life with a dog, cat or gold fish. They love to see you, be with you, and have the unique ability of bringing peace and joy without saying a word. If you are so lucky, you have a great gift.

If you are a survivor of a terminal disease such as cancer, or recovering from a life-threatening injury or surgery, you are aware of how precious life is. Simply breathing and waking up to a new day holds possibilities.

The gift of a new baby in the family brings hope for the future. Parents dote on the newborn and shower him/her with affection for every new smile. The amazement of a child brings both fear but also overwhelming joy.

If you’re an avid reader, you get excited simply turning to page one or re-reading an old favorite. Books remind us of the beauty in the world and teach us to be thankful every day.

Whenever we see a positive horoscope for the day or inspirational quote, it can bring a smile and encourage us to look forward to the future. In turn, we may share the passage or picture with a friend who passes it along to other friends. These are the simple things to be thankful for.

Why be thankful now?

Recent events have made us think twice about our health and security. On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan devastated Tacloban province in the Philippines. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated and thousands are presumed to have died. Relief efforts are on their way but this disaster and those before it such as Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina in the U.S. underline the force of nature and the fragility of human life.

In light of these events and other forces of uncertainty in the world, it is important to remember to appreciate what we have, cherish what makes life sweet, and make the most of our personal relationships. While discouraging news crosses our screens daily, there are simple reminders around us which, if kept in mind, will outweigh the bad. We have within us an innate spirit to drive forward. Do things you enjoy to relieve stress and give yourself energy and focus. Exercise, take classes to stimulate your mind, and meet new people. If you’ve always wanted to learn cooking, sewing, computer applications, or more, there are opportunities awaiting you.

Volunteering around the holiday season is also a generous way to give back and be thankful for what you have. Spend time with others to appreciate our differences and to better understand one another. Volunteer abroad or find opportunities closer to home.

So, as millions of people make their way across the U.S. for Thanksgiving dinner, it is important to recognize the little things in life. These common, everyday gifts can remind you of the support and compassion you have year-round. Take this time to use the upcoming holiday as a kick-starter for thankfulness throughout the year.