I’m Bringing Thanksgiving Back

You remember Thanksgiving? The fourth Thursday of November with the big parade on TV? A lot of football? The day before Black Friday where you line up at your favorite “big box” store at dawn to get those “perfect” Christmas gifts at rock-bottom prices? That day where you gather with friends and family to share a meal to show gratitude for the blessing and good fortune you’ve had throughout the year?

If that last part doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. Thanksgiving has become little more than just an extra-long weekend off from work where you spend hours cooking a whole turkey and actually cringe at the thought of seeing your family before realizing you have to buy roughly 53 gifts because you forgot to start early, again. It’s a milepost reminding you that there are still 25 shopping days until Christmas. At the risk of sounding like Charlie Brown’s philosophic friend Linus, though, I’d like to remember the true meaning of the holiday: being of service to others.

As children, we’re taught that Thanksgiving was first observed by the Native Americans and the Pilgrims in celebration of surviving a difficult winter and having a successful harvest. It’s a great story to teach children, not just history but the importance of community, collaboration, sharing and generosity. Of course, history is a thorny thing, and as we grow up we’ve learned that the Pilgrims might not have been as neighborly as we were taught in grade school. But at its root, the story of the first Thanksgiving is more than the sum of its factual parts. It’s a parable about how hard work, perseverance and pooling strengths can help a community, or a company, thrive. If we’ve lost our perspective, I think it’s time I follow the example of modern pop prophet and businessman Justin Timberlake – who brought sexy back – and do my part to bring Thanksgiving back!

I’m taking time this week to focus on what’s important in my life, both personally and professionally, and how best I can serve those around me. My company, Ferrazzi Greenlight, has embarked on several service projects for the fall and I’m opening my home to family, friends and “orphan” co-workers whose families are too far away to celebrate with. We’ll enjoy a meal but we’ll also commit to not just expressing our gratitude in words but in deeds as well.

If you’d like to help me “bring Thanksgiving back,” commit to acting with generosity, instead of just dreading having to talk to that uncle you only see once a year. Take time this week to think about what, or who, you are most grateful for. Professional or personal, it doesn’t matter – just find a unique and generous way to show your gratitude. Maybe you have a friend who really stepped up this year and helped you through a difficult time. Maybe there’s a cause you’ve wanted to become more involved with but didn’t think you had the time. Instead of stressing yourself out about the details that can drain all joy from the holiday, look inward and pick one friend, project, one act that celebrates the true meaning of “Thanksgiving” and be of service. That’s what Thanksgiving is truly about. And that’s how you, too, can bring it back.