“Thanks”giving and Gratitude
photo credit: priscilla du preez/unsplash
The Thanksgiving holiday is nearly here. Both of us take this annual occasion to intentionally focus our thankfulness and gratitude for the people, institutions and experiences that enrich our lives and allow us to learn and grow.
Why thankfulness AND gratitude? Well, they are not exactly the same thing, though people tend to use them interchangeably. Thankfulness is a FEELING (pleased, relieved) while gratitude is an ACTION (showing an appreciation of kindness). For us, the feeling of thankfulness leads to an opportunity for being grateful.
Many of you may be experiencing a sense of loss during this 2020 Thanksgiving holiday. Goodness knows, this pandemic has thrown us many curve balls over the past many months. We may not be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family as we have in the past and that deserves some recognition: grief over what cannot be is real and should be acknowledged. And, even though we may be sad or angry, it is possible to channel that emotional energy into highlighting things for which we are thankful and giving back in ways that make a difference to ourselves and others.
This month we are focusing our postings and our own thoughts and actions on gratitude and have encouraged you to stretch your efforts of gratitude beyond your typical scope. We challenge you even more as you near Thanksgiving to truly GIVE thanks by providing acts of kindness toward yourself and others. Consider these questions:
In what ways can you get more deeply in touch with your FEELINGS of thankfulness? How might that positively impact your mind and your body?
How do you currently SHOW gratitude--what ACTIONS do you take? How can you build upon or expand those to help yourself and others feel truly grateful?
We all have comfort zones--those parameters we establish for ourselves where we feel in command of our thoughts and actions. These are important to understand and recognize, as we want to protect our mental and physical safety. And, during times of stress (hello Covid), we are typically less curious, creative and resilient. However, stepping outside of our comfort zones, even just a bit, allows us to shed current norms and expectations and lean into a new and expansive experience--it releases what is and invites in what can be. What if you combined expanding your comfort zone (GROWTH) through intentionally acknowledging others (GIVING)? Think about the power that can have for you and the recipients of your gratitude!
So, here’s our Thanksgiving Challenge for you: ACKNOWLEDGE your disappointment and then DO something to SHOW your gratitude to someone else in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. Share it on our Facebook page (SPOILER: you will FEEL more thankful and joyful by sharing what you did for others to see!!).
With thanks and gratitude,
Amy and Holly
