Giving Thanks

It’s Thanksgiving this week, which is one of my favorite holidays.  It’s truly an American holiday, founded here in North America by Native Americans, focused on all the good things in life: family, friends, eating, relaxing and football. This year I’ll be doing all the cooking as the celebration will be hosted at my home.  I’m looking forward to it!

In the midst of all the shopping, prepping, inviting and organizing, I find myself thinking about the true meaning of Thanksgiving and realize that the underlying principle of being thankful is sometimes lost in the shuffle. This year especially, I have a lot to be thankful for. My daughter is now 13 1/2 months old and although this will be her second Thanksgiving, this year she’s able to walk, talk and (if the adults aren’t careful) pull the tablecloth off.

Watching her grow and change daily right before my eyes, has opened my heart in ways that were previously unimaginable. This past year I have felt more concern towards others. I find myself thankful in the deepest sense for the change fatherhood has made in my life. To sum it up, I want to be a better person to my daughter, my wife and everyone around me.

These feelings stem from an initial thought of being thankful. I have so much to be thankful for and it has opened my heart and filled it with caring thoughtful feelings. But there’s something else - giving - the other part of Thanksgiving. I realize that feeling thankful is so wonderful that I want everyone around me to experience it too. I want to share all that I have and do what I can to help others feel joy and be thankful. To me, that’s what Thanksgiving is all about - focusing on life and relationships, being thankful, sharing and giving a piece of joy to others - just like a slice of warm pumpkin pie.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us at Rhythm Interactive!