An Important Choice To Make After Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks.
There are a billion places on the internet where you can learn about how this holiday came to be.You can learn about how Edward Winslow's account of the Pilgrim's harvest in 1621 mentioned that they ate some turkey--among other things.You can learn about how it's not about any help given to the colonists by the Wampanoag Indians.You can learn about how Thanksgiving was actually a way to commemorate the deeply religious and ceremonious massacre of about 700 Native American men, women, and children.Intense.
By not knowing the truth, it's easy to think of our current selves differently.
Instead of seeing our ancestors as murderers or genocidal maniacs, we get to see them as conquerors and adventurers.We get to feel like their courage somehow has passed on to us, and we get to feel proud.The alternative creates too much dissonance. It just doesn't seem possible. How could that be part of us?
The next thing to remember is that we get to choose who we are from here.
It's up to us to revise our ethics, empathize with one another, and be grateful for the planet we have.It's true for Thanksgiving history and it's true for our everyday lives.
Here's a tool I use to recalibrate after each Thanksgiving:
It's a quick read from Seth Godin about giving thanks.I read it every year.It takes longer than 2 minutes to read the whole thing, so that's up to you.
2 Minute Action
Read the Thanksgiving Reader for 2 minutes--though it'll be hard to only spend 2 minutes on it.Or, take 2 minutes to thank one person in your life for being them. Be specific. Call out characteristics or moments that you love about them.Let them know how they've helped change your life.Also, just for the record. I've got a ton of other resources like this in my personal VAULT.And that's free for everyone, so feel free to share.Have a warm and happy Thanksgiving.
Handling That “Back To Reality” Feeling
“I like doing ‘x’ because it’s like a break from reality.”
Have you ever heard someone say this?I’ve said it before, too.Well a colleague of mine reminded me, once, that this is a ridiculous thing to say.
In fact, it’s hurtful.
By claiming, after an adventure or other experience, that you now need to go “back to reality,” you’ve basically nullified the whole thing.Youve said that what you were doing or experiencing wasn’t “real.”Well, that’s not true.
All of what you’re experiencing is real!
Duh!Let yourself include those moments and memories as part of your real life.You may realize that they have a lot to teach you.
“The best adventures answer questions you didn’t even know to ask before you started.”- Yvonne Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia
2 Minute Action
Today is a good day to take 2 minutes and meditate.Focus on one experience you’ve had that felt so good or fun that it was surreal.It could be recent or from years ago.What about it was memorable?What about it was valuable?Take these 2 minutes to reflect and write down these valued parts of your experience.The next phase is bringing these values into your everyday life.That will require daily effort.Small and simple, but difficult and disciplined.