Real Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is truly about gratitude for our blessings. The holiday goes beyond the winter of 1620-21 Plymouth, Massachusetts. That moment carries its own baggage and has been surrounded by either an overly romantic view of what happened (everyone held hands and enjoyed the feast as equals) or a negative view (how Native people were treated from that moment forward) and has been the source of arguments for years. 

I believe Thanksgiving can transcend that moment and be a more meaningful holiday for all of us, especially in light of a year full of incredible challenges between COVID-19, economic and political turmoil, social injustice, climate change…and even murder hornets. Beyond the historic context, beyond the idea that fall was a traditional harvest celebration time for Native people, beyond turkey and beyond football is this: simple gratitude, a sense of awe, that we are blessed beyond words no matter where we are or what we’ve been through on the journey. 

For instance, if you can read these words and process the ideas, you are blessed beyond words because 1) you’re alive 2) your eyes and brain are working. Start with the immediate reasons to be thankful and move outward like ripples on a pond to really absorb the magnitude of all we have to be grateful for – our senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, the blood flowing through our veins, the breath in our lungs. If you have access to drinking water, you’re blessed (almost a billion people don’t). Put your hand in front of your face and move your fingers around, twisting your wrist to take in the full view. That is a work of art, a miracle in motion!  

Next, move to your relationships and feel gratitude for your family, friends and those who have shared their love, wisdom and strength to develop you. Sometimes, it was that grandma, coach, teacher, drill instructor or supervisor that kicked our rear end onto higher ground – be grateful for them too. We can be grateful we have freedom, food, that we are not deployed (and be grateful for the sacrifice of those that are) or we have electricity and running water. Move on from there to the next thing and the next, opening your embrace to encompass it all. It’s quite inspiring and humbling at the same time.

When we go to our traditional Native ceremonies, whether it is a sweatlodge, Sun Dance, Midewiwin, etc. the focal point for all of these is gratitude for what we have. Our elders and ancestors understood this concept clearly…the strength of our warrior spirit depended on the fuel of gratitude! If we are not grateful for what we have in this moment, be it ever so humble or great, we will never be satisfied on the road ahead no matter how much we achieve or how many blessings come our way. In fact, I was amazed that during my four years of Sun Dance (four days each ceremony) when we dance and prayed thanks for all our blessings from sunrise to sunset each day, I never ran out of things to be grateful for! Gratitude can breathe color and life into all we have around us.

When we put this concept into practice in our lives, every day can feel like Thanksgiving (turkey optional). We are all busy people, but to spend just a few moments each day reflecting on the bounty we have been given, the gifts that surround us, will enable us to feel more fulfilled and joyous on our journey. 

I’m particularly grateful for my life, my wife and children, my family, friends, and my supporters, clients and colleagues who have made my journey a beautiful adventure. I’m also thankful for the challenges this year that made me dig deeper, learn more about myself and gain clarity on the road ahead. Remember, the holiday is about telling the Creator and everyone around you, “thanks…for giving” and all of you reading this are in my circle of gratitude. Miigwetch!