A Conversation
The other day I was checking out at a local store. The woman behind says “I think there is all ready Christmas music and decorations out.” My reply was “I know, I can’t believe it.” She just let out a little sigh and we both proceeded to check out and make our way to our vehicles. In that moment I realized how much we pass over Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving used to be a month long event. An entire month where it was more about having a day off and feeding our faces. It was an entire month that was about being thankful. Thanksgiving was a month of being reflective. Looking at our lives and being thankful for the people and things that we have. 
My earlier conversation showed me how much this spirit has been lost. A month of being thankful has been regulated to a week. Thanksgiving has become a bridge from Halloween to Christmas. It’s more about the food we get to eat, than about actually being thankful for something/anything. How did this happen?
Is it about the money?
A lot of it has to do with the market ability of Halloween and Christmas. Companies can make a lot of money during those times. Thanksgiving isn’t as marketable. Spending money on ourselves doesn’t promote that spirit of thankfulness.
Being Thankful Everyday
Let us get back to having a spirit of thankfulness. When we do something for someone don’t reply “No problem,” say “You’re welcome.” Subtle changes like this reveal how much of our conversations can be about us. To where we will say “No problem” because it makes us feel better and it reinforces the impression that we did the other person a favor. It moves the focus of the conversation to us. Saying “You’re welcome” moves the conversation to the other person. It removes us and focuses on them.
This season let us truly be thankful. Look and analyze our lives to see the many blessings that we have. There are so many things that we can be thankful for. Don’t allow Thanksgiving to just be the bridge between Halloween and Christmas. We should be thankful all year. We could all use the spreading of more love. True love can only be shared when there is a spirit of thankfulness involved.
