Thanksgiving versus thanks living

I remember sitting in class during elementary school, around this time of year, answering my teacher’s question, “What are you thankful for?”

I used to think this was cute until I grew older and realized so many Americans remain uneducated and have been conditioned to regurgitate information and repeat certain behaviors during the holidays.

Case in Point

On Oct. 31 masses of people, both young and old, recite three words to sum up the Halloween season, “trick or treat.” Most children and adults don’t even know what they’d do if they didn’t get a treat. On Nov. 1 that phrase is forgotten and put on the mental shelf until next October.

Case in Point

In March, Americans wear green in order to avoid being pinched. Why? I bet 90 percent of us don’t even know. Americans have gotten into the habit of doing without thinking and now without asking. We don’t even want to be educated.

Case in Point

Now that November is drawing to a close we’ll hear Americans emphasize being grateful and asking their children to say please and thank you. We will reminisce about loved ones here and gone, and emotions that lay dormant for ten months out of the year will surface, making us tear up at certain memories.

Many college students will travel miles to get home for some delicious turkey and those warm, fuzzy feelings being around family can give. As someone’s dad carves the bird and a sister or brother passes the cranberry sauce, someone will look around the table and be grateful for that moment of togetherness.

On Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving, all that will be left of that wonderful family day will be turkey leftovers, pieces of pie and relatives who stayed the night. For many Americans that ‘thankful’ feeling will be gone.

Americans must think outside the box that says we have to feel this way at this time. Why not live thankfully instead of only celebrating the traditional holiday?

With a little education Americans would know that we gather to celebrate a moment that never existed. Instead of celebrating the Pilgrims, the Indians and Plymouth Rock, we should be celebrating as the original Englishmen did, by giving thanks all year long for what God has done.

And for those who would object because they may not believe in God, remember this, one doesn’t need to know God to be thankful. People don’t need to see their blood to know they’re alive; neither does someone have to tell you when you’re in pain. There are some things we just know.

Being thankful is an attitude that never goes out of style. There’s no trend to follow, no book to read. The book of thankfulness is filled with chapters we write through our experiences in life that should make us feel thankful everyday of our lives. Thankfulness is a personal thing. Why not try thanks living?

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