Don't forget Thanksgiving

It's already started. Christmas decor everywhere, Christmas music playing in stores, and “junk mail for days” on the best deals out there for holiday shopping. We are bombarded with must- haves and can’t live without gadgets. Here we go again, Christmas take over, 2022. While this is all happening, Thanksgiving sits on the sideline wishing someone would play its tune. I am hoping that we will not once again fall into the same traps we slip into every time this season comes around.

Here they are:

More stuff will bring fulfillment. This trap is always there. It rears its ugly head all throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. The trap is simple to see, but hard to avoid. The more stuff you buy, the more stuff you have, the more you will be happy and content. It's just not true. Someone once said, “The more stuff you own, the more stuff owns you.” This trap is slippery and clever. Sometimes we literally and emotionally buy into this one. Perhaps we may want to numb the grief of a broken relationship or are tempted to think we will be happier and more fulfilled. It just lets us down again and again.

Do more, not less. Again, this trap hovers all throughout the year, but it ramps up during the holiday season where we feel that it is necessary to “go-go-go”. Fill the calendar with everything. Stay busy. Stay on the move and operate non-stop at an unhealthy pace and be distracted. We may think that if we are busy, people will admire us more or if we can just keep this crazy train going we will find our meaning and purpose in life. Again, a trap that is easy to see, but not easy to intentionally avoid.

Discontentment. This trap is why Thanksgiving cannot be missed and not because we’ll miss out on turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. It's a reminder to pause. This season is an opportunity to stop, express thankfulness, and live in gratitude.

Some questions to consider:

Who am I thankful for?

What am I thankful for?

To whom do I need to express my gratitude?

What can I do to live in contentment?

What is my purpose and how can I live this out?

So, please do not forget sweet Thanksgiving and be mindful of the traps that can ensnare us this time of year. Let's not rush to Christmas without first pausing and living in gratitude. If we're not careful, we will miss this sacred and purposeful time.