Joyous and difficult, two opposing adjectives concurrently describe Thanksgiving emotions. The recent negative, political discourse leads us further astray from feeling acquainted with what’s “good”. Despite our bi-polarized feelings, it’s still possible to “bring thanks into the light”[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1] through thoughtful conversation. How? By focusing on our uncomplicated blessings.
Here are some tips as well as Thanksgiving-oriented questions for your gathering, big or small. Start a new tradition this year and bring fun questions to the table. Let conversation reflect our hospitality and thankfulness.
Hosting Tips for Thanksgivings
Relish the hosting opportunity: “To invite a person into your house is to take charge of his/her happiness for as long as he/she is under your roof.” (Brillat-Savarin, Physiologie Du Gout)
Make up your mind, regardless of any troubled relations, to provide warmth and a welcoming spirit, like that of a lovely fire burning in a cozy fireplace.
We’re not perfect so don’t worry if the meal isn’t either! Let others contribute, too!
Grab some quiet. Sit, take a walk, and or savor a morning coffee and, most importantly jot down a few notes on what you’re thankful for, truly, at your core. “Small” blessings count as much as “big”.
Ten Easy Questions*
- What are your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers? How many days can you eat Thanksgiving leftovers?
- What is your family secret to cooking a delicious turkey?
- Tell us about a time you witnessed a Thanksgiving dinner cooking disaster. What happened?
- What are you most thankful for this year?
- If you could design your own float for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, what would it look like?
- Do you have a favorite movie to watch on Thanksgiving night?
- What do you most appreciate about the person on your right?
- Have you ever not had turkey for Thanksgiving? What did you eat instead?
- What is the furthest you’ve travelled for a Thanksgiving meal?
- Name the first thirteen colonies? (Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island South Carolina, Virginia)
This Thanksgiving strive for love, a giving and receiving from the heart. Through hearing each other’s stories, we’ll feel a spiritual connection tied to a bigger life-source and our shared humanity. Through conversation around the Thanksgiving table… “there is …this vein that we tap into. We tap into the spiritual vein of gratitude.”[2]
Happy Thanksgiving!
*Questions from “The Thanksgiving Box of Questions” by Melissa & Doug LLC
[1] From “The Sky is Falling! Everything is Fine!”; Sermon by Rev. Katie Robb Davis, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, Denver, CO; November 13, 2016
[2] “Overflowing Gratitude” by Rev. Charles Rush, Christ Church, Summit, NJ; November 17, 2013[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
