Five things to do before Thanksgiving to be a happier person
Be Americans First
What are we waiting for? For someone else to make the first move? I get that it’s not easy to put aside our political biases. But let us be Americans first and be willing to accept that both campaigns were full of propaganda. Both used words that had the power to hurt. Also, both caused division, making us mistrust our family, friends, and neighbors. Now, it is time for us to gather our courage. Let go of pride and love one another, as Jesus told us.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34 NKJV)
Unforgiveness vs. forgiveness
Deep within the walls of our minds and hearts lays the truth of what forgiveness does for us.
Unforgiveness divides us from common decency and causes anger and bitterness. Bitterness eats up our sound and kind thoughts and fuels us with these questions. What can we do? What must we do? This is how people started developing their thoughts about stopping the other side.
Forgiveness starts with a thought. Before this election campaign, I loved my neighbor, friend, and family. I am good and decent. I can offer my hand and see what happens. Forgiveness then moves from that outstretched hand to the heart and head. If the other person doesn’t accept your hand, let that eat at their sense of decency. In time, they may warm up to renewing your relationship.
Offer no other words. Let them be as a vapor. Let it go!
Mending hearts
Aren’t you glad Thanksgiving comes after the election? We now have an opportunity to mend hearts. Ours and those we hurt during this election season. First, the rules are plain. Some topics are not to be broached at our house, such as abortion, politics, and religion. After all, those are some hot topics that we are known to disagree on. We want to feel love and joy again with our family, friends, and neighbors.
I will:
- Reach out to those I know who support the other candidate.
- Ensure that if I hurt them in any way, I am sorry.
- I let my passions overrule my goodness and mercy.
- Invite them to share Thanksgiving with my family. This is my way of extending my hand.
- Say I did not mean to cause them pain.
Being thankful
This year, we have so much to be thankful for. After all, some people have lost their loved ones, houses, and much more due to Helene and other natural disasters.
We can be joyful by counting our blessings or practicing gratitude. So long as we remember the following scripture:
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.(Psalms 118:24 ESV)
Depression
At first, when I was depressed, I couldn’t summon up enough good within myself to think of ten things to be grateful for. Then, someone told me to start with my senses, smell, sight, touch, and taste. So, that is where I started with my practice of gratitude.
Friends, those were dark days. I am happy to be on the other side of depression and the bitterness that was destroying my life. After all, now I can call up gratitude and instantly enter His courts with thanksgiving. Knowing that this is backed by science makes me smile. I would never have believed I would write about science and God; wow! Yes, God designed us to enter into His enter court with the use of gratitude. Otherwise known as appreciation.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100: 4–5 NKJV)
Science
To clarify this point, scientists say gratitude turns on the relational circuits in our brains. Consequently, doesn’t that make you want to know more about what God put into our bodies? His word gives us everything, yet there is much more to discover.
In conclusion, doing these things will increase joy and love in your life
To be happier by Thanksgiving, take these steps
- Forgive
- Reach out
- Count your blessings
- Practice gratitude
- Enter into His court
Sharing your story of blessings and gratitude with others will double your joy!
