Thanksgiving is more than eating turkey and watching football.
Thanksgiving is a powerful idea.
Taken literally, it is a reminder to give thanks. In order to do that, you have to take stock in what you have to be grateful for. As people, we are not good at this. Need proof? Consider this example.
When you’re cycling or running into a stiff wind, you’re made aware of it gust after gust. You might even say to yourself, “I can’t wait until the course changes direction and I have the wind at my back.” And when the wind finally is at your back, you’re grateful—for a moment. You quickly adapt to it and soon fail to notice it’s even there.
Thomas Gilovich, Ph.D., and Lee Ross, Ph.D
Life’s Headwinds and Tailwinds
Gilovich and Ross call this the Headwind Tailwind Asymmetry. They use cycling as a relatable example, but this sense of privilege permeates every area of our lives. In the above quoted article, they point out Donald Trump’s sense of disadvantage because his father only gave him a small loan of a million dollars.
If someone could ignore a million dollar tailwind, what are you overlooking?
The best way to identify what deserves gratitude in your life is to keep a gratitude journal. It’s very simple and only takes a moment each day.
- Set aside five-to-ten minutes at the beginning or end of your day.
- Use that time to take stock of your life and write three things you’re grateful for.
These don’t have to be anything enormous. It could be gratitude for a cup of coffee or a beautiful sunrise. But, by even recognizing the little things, research shows we experience greater joy in our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the food, the family and the football. But also enjoy the power of giving thanks.