what does thanksgiving mean to you

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. It traditionally involves giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year. It's a time for families and friends to come together, often over a large meal, to express gratitude for what they have.
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For many, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things they are thankful for, spend quality time with loved ones, and enjoy traditional foods like turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

Additionally, some people use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to engage in acts of charity and give back to their communities, helping those who may be less fortunate.
Overall, Thanksgiving holds different meanings for different individuals and families, but at its core, it's a holiday centered around gratitude, togetherness, and appreciation for the blessings in one's life.

Expressing gratitude is an important aspect of Thanksgiving. Here are five ways to express gratitude during the Thanksgiving celebration:

1. Verbal Thanks:
   • Take a moment during the Thanksgiving meal to express your gratitude verbally. Share specific reasons why you are thankful for the people around you, the food on the table, and the positive aspects of the past year.
2. Write Thank-You Notes:
   • Consider writing personalized thank-you notes to friends, family, or colleagues. Mention specific things you appreciate about them or instances where their support made a difference in your life. Handwritten notes add a personal touch and show that you took the time to express your gratitude.
3. Acts of Kindness:
   • Show your gratitude through acts of kindness. Offer to help with preparations, do the dishes after the meal, or contribute in other ways. Small gestures of kindness can convey your appreciation for the efforts others have put into making the Thanksgiving gathering special.
4. Create a Gratitude Jar:
   • Set up a gratitude jar and encourage everyone to write down things they are thankful for throughout the year. During Thanksgiving, take turns reading these notes aloud. It's a wonderful way to reflect on the positive moments and appreciate the good things that have happened.
5. Share a Gratitude Circle:
   • After the meal, gather everyone in a circle and take turns sharing what you are grateful for. This can be a meaningful and heartfelt way to connect with one another, fostering a sense of appreciation and understanding among family and friends.

Remember that expressing gratitude is not limited to one day. Cultivating a mindset of gratitude throughout the year can contribute to a more positive and fulfilling life.
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During this holiday season when things have the possibility of becoming stressful between yourself, your spouse, and family, practice these three things written by St. Francis:
                                    "It is better to Comfort than be Comforted"
                            "It is better to Understand than to be Understood"
                                        "It is better to Love than to be Loved
If you can practice these three principles, you will find that a peace will overcome whatever stress and difficulties may arise during the holidays. 

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