Thanksgiving is a time to play in the falling leaves, watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, share laughs, eat turkey and for college students, a time to go back home to family that is dearly missed. But, how many of you remember to actively give thanks on Thanksgiving?

Historically, the tradition of Thanksgiving did not begin until about 200 years after the three day celebration between the Pilgrims and the Indians in 1621. Even when Washington announced the holiday on November 26th, 1789 it still had yet to be enacted as an annual tradition nationwide until the 19th Century. After much laboring, in 1863, during the reign of President Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving began to be celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in November.

This rich history is the very reason that many should be grateful, yet over the years Thanksgiving transformed from a celebration of being grateful for a successful harvest to a holiday full of shopping, stuffing faces, and the spectacle of huge balloons towering in the skies. Sadly, many have forgotten to actively give thanks, but lavish in the festivities rooted from this holiday.

Only five minutes are set aside around the dinner table, at the final Thanksgiving feast, for each person to say what they are grateful for. But, is this really the extent of what it means to give thanks? Giving thanks is more than an attitude, but involves a true action and according to San Diego Family, “while gratitude is pleasant, it is not easy. We have to work at it.”

The act of giving thanks

is to have "grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God; an expression of thanks; a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness." "Gratitude is an active process of acknowledging goodness and recognizing its source", according to Robert Emmons, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of California.

The Parade Company

Studies

show that it is more emotionally rewarding to actively show gratitude because it leads to lower blood pressure, greater joy and connectedness, stronger immune system, improved coping mechanisms for stress, less illness and depression, more joy, optimism, happiness, compassion and generosity. Therefore, pay-it-forward this Thanksgiving season and actively give thanks not only for your community, but also for yourself.

I challenge you all to actively give thanks and show just how grateful you are in any way you can. Showing your gratitude can be as simple as making thank you cards for your parents or professors, visiting a retirement home, walking/ running for a cause, volunteering at a food bank, feeding the homeless, or donating clothes or food.

It is easy to forget that not every family has the opportunity to celebrate this holiday, not everyone has the strength to get out of bed in the morning, not everyone has a family to celebrate with, and not everyone will have the opportunity to eat on Thanksgiving day.

Austin Woman Magazine

To make a change this holiday, do any type of actively giving that you can, whether big or small. Serving others is a great way to become more active in your community and if you are trying to stick to that New Year’s Resolution of losing weight, there are wonderful service opportunities that will allow you to do just that!

But, overall please take more than a few moments to “give thanks” and become a humble servant for others and actively give thanks as a way to show your gratitude this Thanksgiving. If you would love to actively show your gratitude here are a few suggestions below:

Atlanta Turkey Trot 5K

Senior Connections

Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon and 5K

Global Soap Project

Family- To- Family

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Buckhead Christian Ministry