Beyond Gratitude: Embracing the Beauty of Thanksgiving

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is about gratitude. Whether it's showing it, saying it, or hearing it, we all need some form of gratitude in our lives. However, I believe Thanksgiving is about so much more than thankfulness. It's about recognizing what you have compared to what you don't. It's about acknowledging that the things you don't have are missing for a reason. It's about accepting that where you are right now is exactly where you're meant to be—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's about realizing how much you've grown and evolved to become who you are today. Most of all, it's about letting the love and beauty of times like these enrich every moment of your life.

There's a certain beauty about times like these- times where family is all together, enjoying each others company after being separated for months on end. Times where generations are bonding together in the kitchen, following the same recipe book to cook Thanksgiving dinner. Times where everyone is allowed a mental break to be with the ones they love. That beauty may be different for everyone, but it is something we all cherish, appreciate, and desire in our lives.

Sometimes, in beautiful moments like these, I find myself in quiet reflection on the blessings that go unnoticed. Thanksgiving is a time that reminds us to slow down and cherish these alluring, yet fleeting moments.

As this holiday season unfolds, I encourage you to carry the beauty of gratitude beyond just this Thanksgiving day. Carry this sense of fulfillment and apply it to everyday in your life. Try to find joy in even the smallest things and appreciate the people that influence your life for the better. I've found that when we choose to live with gratitude and appreciation, we create space for love, beauty, and a profound sense of fulfillment- not just during precious experiences with family during the holidays, but throughout the year.