THANKSGIVING OR EXCESS?

Thanksgiving used to be a time to gather with family and reflect on all of our blessings. We appreciated things, like a roof over our head, food on the table, clothes on our back and a country not at war.

Then, Thanksgiving became a time to eat and drink too much, drive ourselves crazy trying to please our guests or get along with our hosts and prepare for the shopper’s high we get from Black Friday. 

Families of origin aren’t always healthy or easy to spent time with! I saw a comic recently featuring a “Convention of Adult Children of Normal Parents.” There were three people attending. Ha! Many of us have at least one trauma from childhood and complicated relationships with a sibling or another family member. 

Even the most “normal” among us can be impacted by the pressures related to the holidays and family dynamics. Ram Dass once said, “if you think you’re enlightened, spend a week with your parents, extended family or in-laws.” Your old, unresolved stuff bubbles up.

No wonder we try to escape by eating excessively and drinking more than we planned to drink. We are trying to manage uncomfortable feelings. It could be social anxiety, depression, various insecurities, unresolved anger or even boredom!  And often we make things worse by either denying our feelings or trying to fight them, which only makes matters worse. We might think, “it’s Thanksgiving, I’m supposed to feel happy and grateful,” which then makes us feel worse.

This year, I encourage you to consciously accept whatever it is you are feeling and examine what you are thinking. You may be creating your own misery. Try to look past your misery and replace it with an attitude of Gratitude; isn’t that what Thanksgiving is about? Do your best to stay in the present moment. It may just save you from feeling sad, gaining a few extra pounds and waking up with a terrible headache.

Thank you for being part of our Informed Families family. I am grateful to have you on our journey to health and Thanksgiving.

Peggy