Who took the 'Thanks' out of Thanksgiving?

With Thanksgiving weekend just around the corner, one tends to wonder just how many of us actually take the time to acknowledge the true meaning of the holiday. Little kids bring home turkeys made out of popsicle sticks, magazines & TV specials feature quick & easy ways to make a delicious gourmet dinner, and retailers nationwide try to outdo each other's deals for Black Friday...but what ever happened to gratitude? How many people still take the time to be grateful for their lives?

Who commercialized a fundamentally un-commercial holiday? When did Thanksgiving become "Turkey Day?" And how can we take it back?

Without going into a history lesson, Thanksgiving was intended as a means of expressing gratitude and spending time with good friends & relatives. The holiday simply cannot be enjoyed if we stress over food preparations, worry about bills, or skip the family dinner altogether to line-up at the local electronics store to get Black Friday deals (...is saving a few extra bucks really worth skipping out on a once-a-year experience with your loved ones?).

But this can be avoided. Make a conscious effort to enjoy the present moment & those around you. Even something as simple as taking a tea break can bring you back to a place of appreciation & mindfulness. Simply take a few minutes to relax, sip a cup of warm tea, and make a mental note of five things you are grateful for in the moment. Chances are that you will be tempted to make a longer list, and it's pretty much guaranteed that afterwards you'll feel refreshed & have a more positive outlook.

So this holiday weekend, do yourself a favor: acknowledge that you are fortunate and enjoy your dinner gathering. From all of us at Sencha Naturals, we wish you a warm & enlightening holiday. And please, put the Thanks back into Thanksgiving.
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For an added holiday treat, visit Sencha Naturals for tea gifts & gourmet goodies