*This video was originally a Facebook Live from November 24, 2020*
Thanksgiving is approaching, and I’ve been talking to a lot of people lately about the sadness they’re feeling from not having their “normal” holiday. Most of us aren’t getting together with our loved ones the way we usually do.
Although this change can feel like a loss, I want to encourage you to think about this as an opportunity to embrace something new. When we do this, we not only build new neural pathways in our brain, but we allow ourselves to be open to something new and different. When we are resistant to change, we stay stuck in a negativity spiral and don’t allow ourselves to grow.
So, how can we embrace this change in tradition? Well, it starts with our mindset. Practice releasing the things you cannot control. Maybe look for ways to start new and fun traditions this year.
As an example, the celebration we had planned with some family members this past weekend got cancelled. My immediate circle and I decided to proceed with a portion of it anyway, which included fishing at Alpine Lake. Personally, I don’t fish, but I was along for the ride.
I eventually wandered off on my own, where I found a quiet place to sit and reflect. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing gently through the trees, and there was a bald eagle circling overhead. After a few minutes of watching the eagle swoop down to try and catch some fish, a flock of sparrows came flying by. It was so quiet that I could actually hear the whirring of their wings.
This beautiful experience happened because I was willing to do something different and embrace the change in tradition. Instead of being upset and resistant about how things didn’t turn out the way I wanted, I chose to just go with it.
I want to encourage you as we move into the holiday weekend that you think about all the things we have to be thankful for, because there’s so much to be thankful for.
