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When is a Good Time to be Thankful?

I do like the occasional slice of pumpkin pie but definitely not one of those people who go crazy over the pumpkin spice latte options! How about you – anything and everything pumpkin or can you leave it?

Here in Canada this weekend it is Thanksgiving. This is not a celebration we had in the UK, although there was always a harvest festival of some sort. I have always wondered why it is a month or so earlier in Canada than in the US. Most suggestions seem to revolve around the fact that being further North the Canadian harvest and therefore celebrations are earlier. The earliest recorded Canadian Thanksgiving actually dates back to 1578 — well before the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag feasted at Plymouth in 1621.

Sadly the holiday is being viewed very differently and for many not being celebrated at all because of both nations’ treatment of the indigenous people and the recent shocking discoveries in Canada’s residential schools. I completely understand and will be having a low-key weekend with family but without the usual festive gathering or meal and take some time to journal my feelings.

To be honest I struggled with whether to write about Thanksgiving at all. The reason I did is that behind the original celebration was an intention to sit down with those you know and be thankful for what you have. It perhaps has lost that meaning but the act of being thankful is something we can all do at any time, not only on one day a year and particularly given the tough time that many have experienced over the last 18+ months a little reflection can help.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I did some ‘googling’ and found this list, perhaps as a kick-off if you decide to do some journaling yourself and also take a moment to think about those where this list is not possible;

10 Simple Things You Can Be Grateful for Even When Times are Tough

  • A roof over my head and a warm home. …
  • Plenty of drinkable water. …
  • I don’t have to go hungry. …
  • I can enjoy the small and free pleasures of life. …
  • Access to the internet. …
  • My friends and family. …
  • My health. …
  • The kindness of people I have never met before.
  • The setbacks that have formed me and made me stronger.
  • I am alive

You can read the full list in more detail at The Positivity Blog

However you are spending this weekend, thank you for taking a few minutes out of it to read this.

Thank you for the Photo Fahmi Fakhrudin on Unsplash

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