Ep 363: Thanksgiving Traditions and Expressing Gratitude

Hi Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving! Today’s episode is my Thanksgiving message to each of you. I talk a lot about gratitude and doing things with intention throughout the year, but today in particular I want to highlight 7 specific things you can do to make the most out of your Thanksgiving Day.

1. Create Traditions -Whether you run in your local turkey trot, gather together in your pj’s to watch the Macy’s Day parade, volunteer at a soup kitchen, or go around the table to say what you’re thankful for, creating traditions that people look forward to is a great way to make your holiday special.  
2. Give everyone a Job– Not only does this take some of the pressure off of the host, but helping out allows everyone to feel like a contributor.  From setting the table to chopping veggies or making name cards, there’s a job for everyone!
3. Take Pics–My mom hated having her picture taken and would shy away from the camera every chance she got. She passed away in 2011 and one of the greatest losses is that I don’t have more pictures with her.  When you are with your loved ones make it a point to get pics with people who you may not see often.
4. Take Time for Yourself– Thanksgiving can be stressful. Set aside 20 min for yourself. Going for a walk, having a cup of coffee, or journalling are all great ways for you to calm your mind and body.
5. Reach out to your Friends– There is never enough time to tell someone how much they mean to you.  Sending a text or picking up the phone to call or FaceTime your friends is a great way to let them know how much you appreciate them.
6. Be Present– It’s so easy to find yourself in a room filled with people where everyone has their heads in their phones.  Make a point to be present with the folks you are with, even if it means putting your phone in your bag or another room. 
7. Not Everything has to be Perfect– Most of us have a picture in our minds of what we want our Thanksgiving holiday to look like: whether it’s a beautiful tablescape, your kids being on their best behavior, or the Turkey coming out on time-sometimes (more like often times) things don’t go as planned. Learning to roll with the punches is a lesson I learned earlier in life.  Embrace the important things-health, happiness, togetherness, and let the rest go.

I realize that the holidays can be a time of sadness for many. If I’m talking about you, my wish is that you find strength and peace knowing that you are surrounded by people who love you.

And for all of you- I hope that today is filled with joy, laughter, and gratitude for all that you have.  

I am grateful for so much, including you for being a part of our community. 

XO

-Laurie

P.S.  Grab your spot at our Intro to the Enneagram live workshop on Friday Dec 1st before we sell out!

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