Personally, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.
It marks the beginning of my favorite season, Christmas, and it also lets me indulge in many of my favorite foods without guilt. Sometimes, though, I find myself so caught up in the rush of cooking the perfect dishes and finding the most incredible deals that I forget what Thanksgiving is about: a time to give thanks and express gratitude.
If you are a busy bee during this time of the year like me, here are three easy ways you can give thanks in your daily life.
1: Say thank you to EVERYONE!
On a day-to-day basis, I encounter at least 30 staff at school, and workplaces alike have several employees diligently working to keep companies and businesses running smoothly. Custodial staff, lunchroom workers, teachers, principals, bosses, and interns alike help their respective institutions meet their daily needs and goals. It is essential to thank EVERYONE, and it takes two seconds!
2: Take care of yourself instead of making others care for you.
Similarly, some employees, like custodial staff, already have a LOT to do. In an effort to show gratitude and general conscientiousness, it is always a good idea to clean up your own mess, push in your own chair, and leave spaces better than you found them. I first heard the phrase “leave it better than you found it” from my 1st grade teacher, and it seems simple enough to remember! As much as we all try, sometimes even the most conscious people get in a hurry or create messes they don’t want to clean. Putting genuine effort into simple tasks like these can have a greater impact and leave a lasting impression.
3: Hold the door, give a compliment– the kind gestures we crave ourselves.
In the midst of Black Friday fighting and late-night grocery store runs, the intensity of the hustle can bleed into our attitudes. The holidays in general are a stressful time- they’re pricey, busy, and sad for some. Showing simple kindness to strangers can go farther than we think, and showing appreciation for other people’s time by holding the door, making an effort to seem put together by complimenting their appearance, and generally smiling can make all the difference. You can even make it a challenge! How many acts of kindness can you, your friends, and your family perform in one day?
As we step into the season, remember to hold a thankful heart. We can make a difference in each other’s lives, and Thanksgiving serves as a fun and tasty reminder of that.
Click here for more articles about gratitude this holiday season.
