Families all over the country will gather today to mark Thanksgiving, likely the biggest non-religious celebration of the year.
Thanksgiving is truly an “All American” event, meant to bring family and friends together over a big meal to express gratitude and thanks.
It’s the Big 3: Family, food and football.
And while our friends to the north in Canada also celebrate “Thanksgiving” their holiday, observed the second Monday of October, is decidedly lower key in Canada. The holiday is widely celebrated in Canada and is a statutory holiday in most of the country, however, Canadians’ approach to Thanksgiving is a bit more laid back.
Historically, our first Thanksgiving involved Pilgrims and the Native Americans gathering together in 1621 for a feast symbolizing peace and goodwill between their cultures. However, to many, this is a whitewashed, romanticized version of the story. In 1970, the United Association of Indians in New England declared Thanksgiving a Day of mourning to honor ancestors who died by the hand of early settlers and colonists and the independence of American Indians.
In the 400 years since the first Thanksgiving, much has changed. A day full of parades, football games and feasting, also represents the beginning of the holiday shopping season — something that evokes “Bah, humbug” from those focused on the less commercialized approach to the holiday season.
There are other seasons to pause in reflective gratitude.
Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it’s built right into the holiday — being grateful.
For example, a study of couples found that individuals who took time to express gratitude for their partner not only felt more positive toward the other person but also felt more comfortable expressing concerns about their relationship.
Another study found that
managers who remember to say “thank you” to people who work for them may find that those employees feel motivated to work harder.
There’s a lot to be said for that.
Stripping away all the historical sociological baggage, we all have things for which we are grateful.
Remember this when celebrating our national day of thanks.
