It seems as if immediately after Halloween, Christmas decorations, carols, and advertisements begin consuming our society. And while it's hard to complain about the joy of Christmas in the air, one special holiday is being seriously overlooked-- Thanksgiving.

Christmas is a holiday that, while joyous, causes immense levels of stress and chaos among our society. People prepare for Christmas for months in advance: decorating their homes, buying gifts, planning the parties they will attend. This holiday season is often accompanied by financial burdens as well. And while the spirit of giving and generosity is wonderful-- but is it worth all of the stress?

Thanksgiving isn't a flashy holiday-- it doesn't have it's own set of carols or decorations, it doesn't create the wild sense of excitement among young and old people alike-- but maybe that is what makes it great.

We have been conditioned by society to be constantly looking forward: what's the next step, how do we get from point A to point B, what do I want now, what is my next goal? Thanksgiving, however, is a time where we get to focus on the present. No, not gifts, but the current time that you are living in. You get to focus on all of the blessings in your life and reflect on how you got there.

Thanksgiving is a time when we get to sit down with our loved ones and enjoy a meal together. No gifts are exchanged. All that people walk away with is the satisfaction of good company, and hopefully, a full belly. Months of preparation are unnecessary-- maybe just a few days of cooking instead. It's a time when we get to focus on what we already have, not what we want or need.

That being said, many people are in need this Thanksgiving. So as you prepare your dish to bring to your family's potluck, consider making an extra batch and bringing it to your local food pantry. All across the nation, different churches and community organizations hold Thanksgiving dinners for those who cannot make them for themselves. This is an amazing act of community and is an easy way to give back.

So this Thanksgiving, instead of busting out Black Friday ads as soon as the plates are cleared, take a minute to just talk: not about the shopping you are going to do the next day (or that night), not about your Christmas wish list, not about how much you have to do to prepare. Talk about the past year. Talk about all the good things that have happened since you last sat around that table. Talk about the bad things that have happened, too-- and the ways you have already and plan to overcome them. It may sound cheesy, but I challenge you to go around and each say something that you are thankful for. You'd be surprised how good it will make you feel.

It's easy to get swept up in the Christmas spirit, but let's cherish Thanksgiving a little longer this year. Enjoy good company, enjoy good food, and just be thankful. If we all took a little time reflecting on the good in our lives, I truly believe the world would be a better place. I promise, Christmas will have it's time. It is still a full month away. So please, let's not skip Thanksgiving. In fact, let's try to make it the "most wonderful time of the year."