Twas the day after giving, when all through the house, not a thanks being said, not even from your spouse…
Now, it’s not that we all woke up today ungrateful for the things we were REALLY thankful for yesterday (family, friends, children, homes, jobs…etc). I was really grateful for those things yesterday too; I maybe even hugged my mom a little tighter knowing I am really blessed to still have her. What I am saying though, is that Thanksgiving makes these concepts top of mind. It’s that time of year that makes us stop and smell the roses. Stars become brighter, babies are cuter, and that one uncle is actually kinda sweet and not a total creepy jackass.
We’ll all go back to work or whatever our reality is come Monday and be stressed by the full inbox of emails. We’ll be tired from all the fun parties and have to chug a Redbull during the meeting to get through the next 8 hours. Oh, don’t forget about the mountain of laundry and cleaning that needs to be done from the holiday aftermath!
I am also not saying that we should be grateful for the areas in our lives that make us crazy or upset. Being single during the holidays…not for everyone! Being in a relationship that is unhealthy…well Thanksgiving is one day not a miracle worker. Going back to a job you’re not passionate about..sucky. I mean seriously, the list goes on.
At the end of the day, we have to get our minds right. We have to recognize gratefulness. We have to prepare for gratitude. If our hearts are not in the right place, we will live everyday like its the day after Thanksgiving. Why don’t we celebrate the stage in life we’re in RIGHT NOW? If you’re reading this and think I’m full of crap, listen to Oprah (she’s an icon and a pioneer in her own right). She says, “do what you have to do until you can do what you really want to do”. So yes, the sucky job, man, lack of a man, annoying in laws are all extremely hard to be thankful for every other day of the year. But, what is stopping you from working towards something better? Getting your attitude right? Becoming wiza about the loving the now.
You folded your laundry today?! POP THE CHAMPAGNE!
You had a positive call with your estranged parent/friend? POP THE CHAMPAGNE!
Your kids all napped at the same time?! POP THE CHAMPAGNE!
You were brave and took one small, teeny step towards your ultimate career?! POP THE CHAMPAGNE!
You see, gratitude is specific! Its not this ambiguous feeling that suddenly dies when you’re pissed off about something you can’t control. Becoming wiza is about giving gratefulness, not receiving it. It’s about leaning in and learning through every stage in life. What are you giving to your current situation? What did you give to your vision today? Do you have to give up something to be grateful for the bigger mission?
Ladies, if I can tell you one thing to GIVE yourself this Thanksgiving, it’s a break. You are doing an amazing job right where you are. Enjoy it, celebrate it, be thankful for it.
Becoming Wiza 
You are so right! I came back from Florida for our family Thanksgiving and I DID NOT want to get back to reality! I was on call (3:30 PM til the next morning at 6AM) at the hospital the day after I got back. I was called in close to the beginning of my shift. I put my big girl pants on (scrubs) and went to the hospital… When I arrived, I had three patients to scan, which is slightly annoying because no one called regarding the first one that was ordered 2 hours previously. I was finally done, after about 3 hours, I turned to the ER docs and said until next time with a huge smile… Went to bed at 10 and slept through the night! I woke up in a bit of a panick thinking I slept through a call… to find out I had no missed calls, GRINNING I thanked the Good Lord that they let me sleep in! Just slightly grateful 🙂 So thank you for reminding me with even the smallest accomplishments be grateful!
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So you are definitely becoming wiza when you are calling for all the champagne 🙂 And I love your points about being specific in your gratitude. Maybe you’re not happy with a relationship or a job right now, but did you connect with a friend today? Get in a great workout? all worthy of gratitude! I’ve actually been teaching to a similar intention this week of shifting out of shoulds and have tos and I don’t want tos and into choice. The holiday season is full of have tos, I have to go see all these people, I have to send out Christmas cards, I have spend all this money on gifts, I have to go to all these parties. You don’t have to, you really don’t, and you might choose to because you choose to have relationships with great people in your life that you want to connect with via a card or a party, you might choose to create delight for someone you love with a gift they will really like. And if not, choose something else!! 🙂 like maybe your couch and a glass of that champagne
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