Happy Thanksgiving 2014

I just read my Thanksgiving posts for the last four years. I'm pretty proud of myself for putting those thoughts into words! Proud, but almost intimidated...by myself. What else could I possibly say to match what I've already said? Is there even any new approach I can take to honor this holiday?

I decided to start by looking at the word "thanksgiving." Time to visit one of my oft-used sites, Merriam-Webster. When not capitalized and in its simplest form, it means the act of giving thanks. OK, we kind of knew that without looking it up. So, how about "thanks"? We have kindly or grateful thoughts; an expression of gratitude. Now to check the definition of "gratitude": a feeling of appreciation or thanks; the state of being grateful. (I'm seeing a bit of a pattern here.) "Grateful": feeling or showing thanks; appreciative of benefits received; affording pleasure or contentment. One more. Let's look up "pleasure": a feeling of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction.

If I put those all together, thanksgiving is expressing appreciation for a feeling of happiness. 

I admit that's an informal, unscientific, subjective definition. But why not use a simple explanation for holiday that began in simpler times? If we strip away the list of "things" we are thankful for, we can get back to just appreciating what we enjoy and what makes us happy. Time with family and friends may make us happy. We may really enjoy curling up with a good book. A cardinal at the bird feeder makes me smile. Someone holding the door for me just to be polite is a little pick-me-up. 

We can be thankful for "stuff," and we should continue to thank those who give us "stuff." We can also be thankful for bigger things, grander concepts and ideas that give us strength or comfort. But we should also remember to just feel happy. Appreciate that happiness. Be thankful for what makes you happy. And don't forget to express your gratitude when someone else has helped you feel that way. Giving thanks will share the happiness.

Writing a little bit in my blog makes me happy. People reading my blog makes me happy. Thank you for helping me feel that happiness. 

I am happy to be thankful and thankful I am happy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2013
Thanksgiving 2012
Thanksgiving 2011
Thanksgiving 2010