Reporter's Reflections Archive

Americans, so often, simply go through the motions of holidays. How many go to church on Christmas and Easter, or spend extra time actually romancing their love on Valentine’s Day? It’s easier to get a card, or gift or flowers and think, “There. I did what I was supposed to do.”

  But that’s just it. If you don’t feel the holiday--really take a moment to experience the spirit of the holiday deep down inside-- it really isn’t a holiday after all. For Thanksgiving, the process is two-fold.

At some point, you have to stop and make a conscious effort to recognize all the people, places, features, treats, blessings and love you have. This is something you can do while driving, taking a shower, waiting in line--whenever.

You can think of things to be thankful for quietly, in your mind, or do it in prayer around the dinner table, showing thanks for the food, and the hands that made it. For some, Thanksgiving is no more than that--fixing a feast and giving thanks before it is eaten.

There. That’s what we’re supposed to do.

 But there is a second element to Thanksgiving which can really make it a holiday--a vacation from the norm. In order to be thankful, really thankful, you need to show your appreciation. If you are thankful for something, you don’t dismiss it. If you value something, you don’t neglect it. If you are truly thankful, you appreciate them--in actions and words.

 On Thanksgiving, we all should walk around and tell our friends and family, “I appreciate what you do,” or “I really like having your input,” or “You make life a little lighter,” or “I enjoy your laugh.”

  “Happy Thanksgiving” is trite; it’s simply going through the motions; it’s business as usual; it’s doing what you’re supposed to do. “Happy Thanksgiving” doesn’t say, “I’m thankful.”

 Blessings can’t be blessings if you don’t recognize and appreciate them as such. In fact, I’m betting that showing our appreciation, putting our thanks into action, could make us even more thankful because then we will be embracing the lift of each blessing as they come throughout our day. In that moment, we’re not just doing what we’re supposed to do.

 How many simple pleasures are we missing while we go through the motions? How many blessings will we dismiss with “Happy Thanksgiving?”

  Let’s try something different this year. Every time you are tempted to say “Happy Thanksgiving” to someone, begin instead by giving him or her a compliment. For example, try, “You really look nice today.” Then, after they say “thank you” (or whatever), then say, “Happy Thanksgiving.”

 In other words, when tempted to dismiss someone with a typical, thoughtless greeting, take a few seconds to appreciate that person--to be thankful for something about him or her. When tempted to throw out that holiday greeting goodbye, take a brief moment, somehow, to let that person know there’s something in them you enjoy.

And don’t save your appreciation for people. Just saying, “I really enjoy the scenery on this commute to work,” aloud to yourself can lift your spirits. Spend a little extra time scratching your dog’s ears and say, “You’re a good boy, Duke, I really like having you around.” Duke may not understand what you said, but you did. Duke got a few extra moments of your love, and he understands that.

 Even a brief, “Thank you, Lord, for the lessons you are teaching me,” can bring relief in trying times. We appreciate there is some purpose in our burden.

 Find something for which you are thankful. Appreciate it, celebrate it, embrace it as a blessing. Take pleasure in it actively with actions and words.