I suggest something is wrong with a culture that skips right from Hallowe'en to Christmas with almost no pause for Thanksgiving. I understand the economy depends on sales for the holidays to continue. I realize many stores make the vast majority of their profit from Christmas sales. I do not understand why it has to start on November 1st.
But this post is not about Christmas; it is about the forgotten holiday called Thanksgiving. Since the pilgrims landed in the New World, we have taken a day to stop, come together with families and remember our blessings. In fact, we were the first country to make a national holiday designed to give thanks for all that we have. And we all have a lot. But it is important to take the time to realize what we have and then to be thankful for it. Instead, people stress over cooking for so many, compare notes on the size of their turkey and use the dinner table to plan their shopping strategy for the next day.
It is time to start remembering Thanksgiving. It is a time for people to slow down, enjoy the day and the remainder of the holiday. Instead of focusing on what more we could buy, we should focus on how much we already have. Embrace Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holiday. Enter into the next holiday in a grateful state of mind. Enjoy the feeling of peace being thankful can give.
Happy Thanksgiving.
