Several countries celebrate this time of year with holiday traditions and family gatherings. Here in the United States this week is Thanksgiving. The time we celebrate being thankful. That means we will be spending time with family and friends. We will be cooking up meals, watching football and if you dare, possibly navigating large crowds to shop for deals.
With all this going on it is common for us to feel stressed or anxious. Especially if you are around family members that tend to drive you crazy or remind us of negative emotions. But it doesn’t have to.
Remember to practice your S.T.O.P. technique that we learned several weeks ago in the article Stop the Holiday Stress. Stop, take a breath, observe and proceed. That is going to help you get through this week with less stress and more peace.
I certainly don’t want to add to your stress! Therefore, we are keeping this challenge simple this week. It’s going to be the perfect (and fun!) challenge to have with your family and help you connect with them.
No matter where you are or what holiday you celebrate, the next family gathering you have, share this challenge and be thankful for those around us.
A thankful heart is a happy heart. -Unknown
This week’s mindfulness challenge is, let’s be thankful.
As you sit down for your family dinner announce that you would like to go around the table and give each person a chance to state what they are thankful for.
Sounds easy right?
However, continue by clarifying that each person will state what they are thankful for, about the person to the right of them. Have them state a memory where this person did something that made them thankful or something this person does regularly that they appreciate.
For example, if my brother is sitting to the right of me, I would say something like “I’m thankful for my brother because he always tells me where the fish are biting.” And it’s true, he does and I am so thankful for him because of it.
You start everyone off.
As you go around the table, stay present and listen. Notice what each person is thankful for about one another.
Are you thankful for the same things about this person?
Try to find something good in each person at the table that you can focus on.
When we look for the good, we see more good.
Finally, do your best to be here and enjoy the moment. Unless someone from your family announces at dinner, they expect you to drive your eccentric aunt across the country, this will all be over soon enough.
If you have not already signed up for our weekly mindfulness challenge but would like to, please do so here. I would love you to be a part of this mindful tribe!
Other articles you may have missed recently:
The Perfect Gifts for Your Yoga lover
The 4 Best Goal Setting Planners for 2020
May you have peace and love,
Ela
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