Thanksgiving Thoughts: Gratitude Goals

Thanksgiving Thoughts: Gratitude Goals

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Dear friends,

As Thanksgiving approaches, I'd like to share some thoughts with you about traditions, gratitude, and the importance of setting goals for the future.

Holidays always hold a special place in our hearts. They evoke warm memories, remind us of those who have passed, and offer us the chance to pass on our values to the next generation. While I love to be creative in the kitchen, I understand the comfort that traditional dishes bring to my family. The aroma of roast turkey, the creamy texture of mashed potatoes, the tangy sweetness of cranberry sauce, and the warm spices of pumpkin pie all contribute to the nostalgia of the day. It's a delicate balance between the desire for novelty and respect for traditions like green bean casserole, stuffing, and homemade dinner rolls.

Before we dive into new traditions, let's acknowledge the comfort of the familiar. The aroma of the classic holiday dishes all contributes to the nostalgia of the day and. form the backbone of many Thanksgiving meals. However, there's always room for innovation within tradition.

Perhaps you will propose some new family games to play such as making your own place cards. Each person will make a place card with their name on the front and a list of three things they are grateful for on the back. At dinner each person can share their list with all the guests at the table.

The "Thankful Game” could be a new tradition combining gratitude with a fun guessing game. Encourage everyone to write down what they're thankful for on a slip of paper. Place all the papers in a jar. During the meal or after dinner, read each statement aloud. Have family members try to guess who wrote each statement. This game not only encourages gratitude but also helps family members learn more about each other's perspectives and experiences.

Will you go for a family walk or volunteer at a soup kitchen?

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and creating lasting memories. While many of us have cherished traditions we look forward to each year, there's always room to introduce new customs that can enrich our holiday experience.

By incorporating these unique traditions, the Thanksgiving story can be enriched with elements of fun, gratitude, and family bonding that go beyond the traditional meal.

This year, I propose a new way of practicing gratitude at our Thanksgiving meal. Instead of simply sharing what we're grateful for today, let's imagine what we'll be grateful for in 2025. This perspective pushes us to think about our goals and the future we want to build.

The Importance of Setting SMART Goals

To bring our aspirations to life, it's crucial to set SMART goals:

• Specific: Instead of "I want to be healthier," try "I will run a 5K race."
• Measurable: "I will save $10,000 for a down payment on a house."
• Achievable: "I will read one book per month for the next year."
• Relevant: "I will learn Spanish to communicate better with my in-laws."
• Time-bound: "I will complete my master's degree by December 2025."

This method helps us transform our dreams into concrete action plans.

Take a moment to visualize your life in November 2025. What changes do you want to see? Better health, like being able to run that 5K? A fulfilling career, perhaps in a new field you've always dreamed of? Enriching travels, such as finally taking that trip to Japan? Writing that book you have been talking about. Finding your soulmate. Don’t be afraid to announce your goals out loud - it's the first step towards achieving them.

As Wayne Dyer says, "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Try to see your challenges from a new angle. Even in adversity, there's often something positive to find if you look hard enough.

Imagine taking your biggest challenge and looking at it from a different perspective. I have found that if you look hard you will find good in adversity. As a Career Coach, 80% of my clients have been severed from their last job. Some feel it is the worst thing they have experienced.

When I probe deeper and ask them what’s good about not having a job right now, they say things like: “I don’t have to ask for permission to take my parent to the doctor or go to my child’s school play. I have complete freedom to play golf or visit with friends. My day is mine.”

When they look for the good, they always find it. The fact that they still don’t have a job doesn’t take away any joy they can experience. It’s all about perspective. What are you looking at from a negative perspective, and are you ready to make a change?

Thanksgiving traditions are about more than just the food on the table. They're about creating moments of connection, fostering gratitude, and building lasting memories. Whether you choose to implement one of these new traditions or come up with your own unique customs, the most important thing is that they bring your family together and help everyone focus on the true spirit of Thanksgiving. Remember, the best traditions are those that resonate with your family's values and interests. Don't be afraid to try new things and adapt traditions as your family grows and changes. The most meaningful Thanksgiving celebrations are those filled with love, laughter, and sincere appreciation for one another.

This Thanksgiving, as we gather around the table laden with turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings, I invite you to reflect: what will you be grateful for in 2025? Will you have mastered the art of baking the perfect pumpkin pie? Or perhaps you'll be thankful for the new career you've built, the language you've learned, or the marathon you've run? Share your aspirations, find an accountability partner to work with, keep each other focused on your respective goals. Check in with each other to measure each other’s progress. Offer your support and ask for theirs.

Start working towards these goals now. Together, let's transform this Thanksgiving into a springboard towards a future full of promises and achievements.

May this day, filled with the comforting tastes of tradition, be the beginning of an exciting journey towards the version of yourself you'll be proud of in 2025. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and may your dreams become reality!

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As always, I’m rooting for you!

Angela I. Schutz

Driventosucceed.net