Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks, obviously, but people usually associate that single day as the only day to give thanks. They don’t serve this special day as a reminder that we should be grateful for all that we have every day. Life is usually just too busy to pause for something as simple as recognizing if it’s a beautiful day outside. We hardly look up from our phones as we walk to class, and we don’t make eye contact with the people walking by and just stare at the ground instead.
We spend more time complaining about schoolwork or things that matter to us today but will have forgotten about tomorrow. We spend more time invested in ourselves rather than helping others. And we spend more time trying to be efficient instead of trying to enjoy life.
It might be how we’ve grown up, though. The fast food industry was invented so we could have a quicker way to eat food in order to resume with our busy schedules. Texting was created as a quicker way to reach others--even though sometimes we spend more time talking to those who live hours away rather than the people sitting right across from us. Now, these inventions are definitely not negative by any means; however, the ways we use and take advantage of them are.
We are so swept up in the hustle and bustle of everything that we never stop and reflect on anything. It is sad to think there has to be a designated day to remind us that we need to pause every once in a while. Although it is a wonderful holiday, the celebration ends shortly after the big meal. The next day as the food coma wears off, so does the feeling of thanks and joy. We are suddenly thrown back into, well, life, and we forget about everything we just celebrated.
Recently, a friend showed me an article about a model in Hong Kong who walked around all day without pants on and instead had skinny jeans painted on her legs to make it look like she was wearing pants. Very, very few actually noticed that this girl was walking around without pants on… If someone can walk around a very busy place without clothes and not even be noticed, then something is clearly wrong.
I am challenging you this holiday season to try and keep the spirit going for as long as possible. Find just five minutes every day to list out all the good things that you are grateful for. You could even do it while walking to class, before bed, or as you wake up! Try to smile to the people walking by on the way to class. Turn your phone on silent when out with company and live in the moment. Don’t be one of the ones who won’t notice if someone walks around without pants on. Be aware of the world around you and try to enjoy it!
