Fall is here and the holidays are coming! The leaves have begun to change color and fall; pumpkin spice and all of your favorite fall decorations and smells are all around!  Oh how I love the cozy scarves, blankets, sweatshirts, and boots! (Give me all the plaid, people!) It is heartwarming to snuggle by the fire with our loved ones, to enjoy and breathe in the crisp cool air (That, may I add, is SO much better than the 100 degrees it was just a couple of weeks ago). Can I get an amen from all my fellow North Carolinians?? 

With just a few of these wonderful things we love about fall, let’s get real for a hot minute! We are officially in the thick of holiday planning and preparation. So, let me break it down for you … FALL. IS. CRAZY PANTS!

I mean, seriously, those beautiful leaves falling down — you’ve gotta rake ‘em. Those wonderful bonfires — those oh-so-cozy, snuggle up ones that leave your hair and clothes smelling like a campfire for days — yep, it’s not like in the movies. Let’s throw in planning and preparation for all the things — who else has their calendar full of events to attend, people to meet, and/or work parties to make an appearance at? Brownie points if your schedule was full 6 months ago! Anybody? 

The pumpkins are everywhere, your porch is covered with happy fall signs, mums for days, and “heirloom” decorative pumpkins. We plan for days and weeks what our Thanksgiving meal is going to include and who all will be there. Do you pick stuffing or dressing (are you from the South if you don’t know the difference?)?  Pecan pie or pumpkin pie? Maybe one of each? You need to have all of the fixins! If you don’t have sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese … again, are you really from the South if you don’t? 

Although this is a fun, joy-filled season,  all of these things can leave many of us feeling overwhelmed. We can get so caught up in how to make this season fun and exciting that we end up not actually experiencing it. If this is you, take heart and know that you are not alone! Sometimes we need to take a deep breath and SLOW. IT. DOWN. We really need to take a look at what we DO have to get a better idea of what we CAN truly be grateful for. Doing this looks different for every single one of us. But where do we start? 

Let’s first think about what thankfulness is. We have the Google dictionary to thank for the following definition:  someone feeling or showing gratitude; when you are pleased and grateful for what you have. Emphasis on what you have. Not what someone else has or what you would like to have, but what you currently have.

Secondly, consider these questions:

  • How did you celebrate Thanksgiving growing up? What of those traditions would you like to make your own? 
  • What is the meaning behind your traditions? 
  • Why do you celebrate at all? What would you tell someone who knows nothing of this holiday, as to why it holds importance? 

I encourage you to take a moment right now, look at your calendar, and pick 30 minutes on a date of your choosing that you can stop and think about why you celebrate Thanksgiving. A wonderful resource our family has used to get a better grasp on the meaning for our traditions is Sacred Holidays by Becky Kiser. She gives wonderful ideas for how to celebrate.

Thankfulness is ultimately a choice and a mindset. We won’t always be in the midst of circumstances that are fun, enjoyable, or pleasant, but we can choose to meditate on what we have to be thankful for. So, take time to think about what that is in your life right now, and slow down to give yourself the opportunity to be grateful. Finally, remember you are not alone. We all have seasons that leave us struggling to be content. If you feel this way, reach out to those in your life who can support and encourage you.

I wish you peace and joy during this Thanksgiving season. 

Hope 

 

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