Sitting around the table, sharing a meal and saying grace. Thanksgiving, the U.S. holiday where everyone takes a day to pause and reflect, occurs every fourth Thursday of November, this year falling on the 27th.
In the way we all prepared for Halloween by putting together costumes, painting pumpkins and apple picking and in the manner we are getting excited for Christmas by watching festive movies, participating in Secret Santa and attending tree lightings, the month of gratitude should be treated the same way. From watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” to hosting a gathering, here’s a list of ways to practice appreciation for your blessings throughout the month.
Write it Down
When you open your eyes in the morning and go straight to picking up your phone or rushing to type on your laptop, you might find yourself doomscrolling on TikTok or immediately working on an assignment before getting ready for the day. Buying a gratitude journal can be a mindful alternative to electronic screens. A popular version of this is called “The Five Minute Journal” which can be found on Amazon for $29.99. Each page offers a weekly challenge to follow or a heartfelt quote.
The prompts require you to list three things you are grateful for, three ways you can do to make the day great and a daily affirmation. At the end of the day filled with rigorous classes and never-ending work, you can use the journal again to unwind and write highlights of the day and what you learned from your experiences. Gratitude starts with making meaning, which begins with realization.
A Pocket of Peace
Gratitude can begin with self-reflection. Meditation and yoga are mindful ways to focus on the positive aspects of your life and count your blessings. As the colder weather and holiday season approaches, meditation aids in reducing anxiety and improving mental health. Sometimes gratitude is two fold and hard because everyone’s lives look different. It is important for everyone to follow their own path in healing.
Yoga is a beneficial way in showing gratitude through its attention to the present moment. The exercise compels people to be where their feet are and fosters emotional openness by expanding the heart region through poses such as the Cobra. Setting an intention before entering the yoga studio is an encouraging way to find a specific blessing you want to express. Fairfield U students have the opportunity to attend yoga classes in the RecPlex by signing up through the IMLeagues app.
Sharing is Caring
What says giving thanks for all you have more than volunteering? Being a volunteer is a great way to give back to your local community. Fairfield U students can find service opportunities on Life@Fairfield. Spots are still available for Food Rescue U.S., which encourages people to become food rescuers, picking up left-over food from donors and restaurants with the purpose of dropping it off to social service agencies.
Operation Hope is a non-profit organization right here in Fairfield. Their mission is about providing “individuals and families the opportunity to experience transformative change” as per their website. Their programs are centered on declining the hunger and homelessness rate in our community.
As of Nov. 1, the federal government has ended their financial support of SNAP, also known as food stamps. Thanksgiving is largely known as a celebration around a table of food. It is important to remember that not everyone has that opportunity, but there are ways that you can make a difference.
Grateful, Thankful and Full of Pie
Whether it’s the family you were born into or the family you chose for yourself, hosting a Thanksgiving gathering is a significant way to express gratitude for the people in your life. Although Thanksgiving is typically reserved for family, whoever that may be for you, friendsgiving is a fun celebration to unite all your pals together.
You can ask everyone to bring their favorite meal and share their reason behind the plate, even turning it into a contest. Making fun mocktails (or cocktails if you are 21) such as apple cider and cranberry sprite would elevate the dinner party. Some activities to take part in include friendsgiving trivia and creating a gratitude board.
Gratitude exists in many different forms. From praying in church, taking a walk, talking to the universe, conversing with other humans, or creating an art piece, Thanksgiving can be found everyday, not just on a national holiday date. The gift of gratitude starts with yourself.
