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“Thanksgiving isn't just a day. It's a way we can live our lives every day.”
Katrina Mayer
There is something wonderful about this time of year with the shorter days and colder temperatures. Thanksgiving is soon upon us. And, Thanksgiving grounds all of us in tradition and relationships. Even more importantly, this is the time of the year when we remember what really counts; we take the time to look back over the past year and think about for what we are grateful.
The last few years have been difficult, but we can find some inspiration to get through these times from the original Thanksgiving celebrants: the Pilgrims and the Native Americans who participated in the harvest celebrations of 1621. Theirs is a story of endurance. The Pilgrims left England in the fall of 1620 to take a two-month journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a rickety, cramped boat to reach the New World where they hoped to be free to live, work and worship according to their own conscience. What this group achieved was incredible. They were regular folk with no experience for settling what they knew as an untamed land. Fortunately for them, they had help from the local Wampanoag tribe.
Here are some thoughts to help us reflect on our own challenges and tap into the hardy Pilgrim spirit inside of us.
Decide What is Important
What is the driving force behind your life? Why do you do what you do? For example, do you want to see the world or leave a large legacy for your heirs? Is it time to make some changes?
Believe in Something
While we enjoy many creature comforts that the Pilgrims did not, it is still important to have reserves of inner strength. We can cultivate this through religion, meditation or volunteering for a worthy cause. Whatever your beliefs, they can be a true source of inspiration.
Recover from Mistakes
We’re all afraid to make mistakes. We all make mistakes. This didn’t stop the Pilgrims. They landed hundreds of miles from where they expected to – in Massachusetts instead of Virginia. But they made the best of things (of course, with a lot of help from the Wampanoag). They adapted. We’ve all had setbacks, both financial and personal, but we forge ahead.
Weather Setbacks
That first winter in the New World, half of the Pilgrims died. We live in a much different world but hardship is still a part of life. We may find ourselves laid off from a job with no notice, the house doesn’t sell or we may face the destruction of a hurricane like many in Florida did recently. Like the Pilgrims did, rely on your allies to help you through tough times. They can help you to stay positive in a negative world and they can help you build your knowledge and skills.
Write Your Own Compact
Turn ideas into practice. Put thoughts into words. What do you want to accomplish in the next year or five? Write a Personal Mission Statement. This will guide how you spend your time and how you interact with others. A Personal Mission Statement can be as simple as ‘Lead a Balanced Life.’
Become More Self-Reliant
The Pilgrims cast off their king and government and the society that they knew. They understood that they had to take care of themselves. We could all benefit from having more of a Pilgrim work ethic. Establish a morning success ritual or incorporate an exercise routine into the day.
Be Bold
The Pilgrims set sail with a dream to found a new colony, a dream that many had tried unsuccessfully before them. We don’t have to set sail in a wooden boat to get out of our own comfort zone. Challenge yourself. Unleash your inner Pilgrim. We can all learn to do more than survive tough conditions. We can thrive.
But first, take a pause to enjoy the holiday. Raise a glass to toast the Pilgrims and those around you.
Be thankful for the opportunities you can see in even this most challenging economic season.
Thank you for your time and consideration in 2022!
Have a super Thanksgiving.
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John F. Kennedy
Source: Horsesmouth