Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I want to pause, reflect, and dive into a conversation about kindness and gratitude.

In a world that sometimes seems chaotic, where headlines can be overwhelming, we often find solace and strength in the simplest of things—kindness and gratitude. So, I think it’s important that we advocate for spreading kindness and fostering gratitude in our daily lives.

As we approach Thanksgiving, a time traditionally dedicated to expressing gratitude, I want to explore the power of kindness in our communities.

Kindness is like a ripple effect. When we are kind to others, it creates a positive impact not only on them but on ourselves and the people around us. It's a simple yet powerful force that has the potential to transform our communities and spread throughout the world.

Now, what about gratitude? How can we incorporate gratitude into our daily lives, making it more than just a once-a-year practice, celebration, family feast?

Gratitude is about acknowledging and appreciating the good things, big or small, in our lives. One way to make it a daily habit is to keep a gratitude journal. Write down three things you're thankful for each day. It could be as simple as a kind word from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or that your car started right up when it was time to leave for work this morning. I truly believe that everyone, from any walk of life, can find something to be grateful for. In fact, a few years ago, I had a great conversation with retried Marine, Craig Grossi. His book, Craig and Fred, tells the story of how he rescued a dog - named Fred - while fighting in Afghanistan and had to make some tough decisions to ultimately bring Fred back home. Now, they travel the world and speak to audiences about being stubbornly positive. Listen to this clip:

(Clip from Craig Grossi)

It's all about finding joy in the little things. So, as we approach Thanksgiving, think of some ways that you can spread kindness in your community. It could be volunteering at a local charity, reaching out to someone who might be feeling lonely, or even just offering a genuine compliment. Small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on you and the person on the receiving end.

Now, let's talk about Thanksgiving specifically. How can we make Thanksgiving more than just a day of feasting and incorporate the true spirit of gratitude into our Thanksgiving celebration?

Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to express gratitude. Instead of just focusing on the food, take a moment to go around the table and share something you're thankful for. It creates a sense of connection and reminds us of the importance of gratitude.

It really is a beautiful tradition to incorporate. And, if folks don’t want to speak up at the table, have everyone write something on a piece of paper, then pass a hat around the table and let each person read one out loud. That actually seems like it would be more fun!

Before we wrap up, I would just encourage everyone to approach the holidays with an open heart and a spirit of kindness. Take the time to express gratitude not just on Thanksgiving but every day. It has the power to transform our lives and the world around us.

That concludes this special episode of Pelham Place. Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude, and the warmth of kind deeds. Until next time, be kind and do good.