It’s a Most Wonderful Time to be Thankful

The weather has cooled down and we’re gearing up for the holidays.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to be thankful and appreciate all that we have.

This year, it may be especially challenging considering all the negative news present around us. What can we do to focus on the good in the world?

Start by tuning out the negative news and people on social media.

Scientists are studying the link of social media usage and mental health. They have found, in several studies like this one, that extended time on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, leads to feelings of inadequacy, depression, and anxiety. Users are comparing themselves to what they see online and it’s likely not a reality.

As a society, we’ve gotten away from being thankful and appreciating what we have and are comparing ourselves to photo-shopped versions of our favorite celebrities. It’s time to limit what we do online and spend time with our friends and family.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reconnect with real people. 

Unplug devices, turn off the WiFi, and have a conversation with someone. Sounds simple, but all too often we’re more concerned with our friend’s Facebook status than with what is happening right in front of us. It’s changing our lives, and not necessarily in a good way.

Every now and then, we see couples out on what we assume is a date and they are texting as they sit across from each other. Is that really how they are spending time with one another? Maybe, and it’s such an odd way to communicate. It makes us wonder if they even know how to carry a conversation!

This year at Thanksgiving dinner, we challenge you to ask guests what they are thankful for.

• What are you most thankful for today?
• Who do you admire and why?
• What have you done to help someone else this week, month, or year?

In asking these questions, the focus shifts from self to others. Perhaps it even creates an awareness that while it is great to have online friends, there are people right in front of us who would love to know more about who we are and how we’re impacting our real-life communities.

Hopefully this shift, even for a short time at dinner, will help you and your loves ones see that it’s a most wonderful time to be thankful.

To learn more about the power of gratitude, click here.

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