Thankfullness

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. From the stuffing, to the gravy and the disgusting cranberry sauce (do people really eat that?) I love the crisp scents, and the warm family feel that the dinner brings. Thanksgiving is a time where we can all set aside differences and sit down at the big, long family table and pig out. Plus, there's pie- which I always offer to help bring out after dinner just to strategically place the best one in front of my spot at the table. No shame.

On the flip side- do you know what I hate about thanksgiving? We spend the season saying what we’re thankful for, people have signs and decor all over reading 'thankful' 'blessed' & 'grateful' ..but the minute that dessert is over we rush out the door to wait in lines at Best Buy, Walmart, Target, the local mall etc. to BUY MORE THINGS. Do you need a 60 inch tv? Do you truly NEED the latest phone? (this girl still has an iPhone 5s). Why are we so materialistic? Why are we spending so much money on meaningless things? I just find it silly. I’m all for a good sale- don’t get me wrong. However, spend your night with your family! Really just enjoy THAT moment, because next year your life could be completely different. Maybe you’ll have a new job and have to move away, maybe your bank account will be half what is is now and you'll be regretting spending a lump sum on something you didn't need, maybe a loved one is missing from the table. Who knows. Life goes by in the blink of an eye, and instead of worrying about getting a TV that’s 5 inches bigger than the one you have now or a new phone when your old one works just fine, try and rationalize if you really need to leave a family dinner early to go stand in a line just to replace something you already have.

Be thankful for what you have. Be thankful for WHO you have. Embrace it and remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more."
-Melody Beattie