Aside from making the nap-inducing meal, Thanksgiving is usually a relaxing, fulfilling day where people simply forget about all the days around it.

Yes, that is a generalization. We’re well aware that there are exceptions.

Of all the holidays celebrated annually in the United States, Thanksgiving is unique. No, the act of giving thanks is not unique to this country, but both the history and intent of it are. On top of that, it may be the least commercialized holiday we celebrate.

In this article in Psychology Today, the author does a thought-provoking analysis of the history and the impacts of Thanksgiving and what makes it special. Nestled between two heavily commercial holidays, Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving relishes in the benefit of being a simpler day where people gather and spend time together before rushing off to Black Friday shopping, putting up decorations, and thinking about next year.

The history of Thanksgiving in the United States is anchored in gratitude. Gratitude is outward-focused, looking at those around us with a different lens. This is a lens that realizes that, even with all of our imperfections, there is more benefit to those relationships than detriment.

As difficult as life may be on the day this year, these people have chosen to be here.

And as difficult as those people may be, they have chosen to be here.

With very few exceptions – less than most of us may be willing to admit – that crazy uncle that you want to argue with all the time would probably still jump into a river to save your life.

OK, fine. We should be nice to them for a day.

Not exactly. This is about mindset. Gritting your teeth and putting on a false face is not genuine. Take it a step further and see that person through a different lens: the lens of Gratitude. Maybe rather than just surviving the day, you may actually enjoy it.

There is an even bigger lesson here which reaches outside of your home to your neighbors, friends, and coworkers. In this modern world of influencers and click-bait media, we have allowed ourselves to be influenced by the worst of our culture – to see the “other side” as all bad and “our side” as all good. And yes, “your side” is equally guilty.

Division empowers those who sow it and enriches those who take advantage of it all while subjugating everyone else. And no, it’s not just the “other side” that does this. Drop those thoughts. It’s you. It’s me.

The first Thanksgiving way back in Massachusetts came about after the Pilgrims dropped a collectivist model from the Mayflower Compact which nearly killed them all and adopted a model that unleashed their creativity and need to cooperate. This is self-interest rightly understood. They immediately began to flourish and, with a dose of humility to listen to their neighbors in the local tribes, they had abundance – and shared it.

How do we impact our culture to make it better?

We change the lenses we’re using to look at those around us – and how we look at ourselves. We seek out God. We strive for humility. We adopt Gratitude.

When I change myself, I change my family.

Solid families lead to improved neighborhoods.

Improved neighborhoods lead to safe and prosperous communities.

Safe and prosperous communities influence culture in productive, unifying ways.

When we change the culture, we change the world.

So take a moment before going to Thanksgiving dinner. If your family gatherings are stressful, get YOUR mind right. Find a way to be the positive influence that changes the trajectory. Don’t expect them to do this, Be the agent of Gratitude, not the agent of chaos. Start by seeing those imperfect humans as people you truly care about even if they drive you crazy. Ask God to help you be genuine. People know when you’re genuine and it makes a difference.

Families are the heart of the community. Make a difference there and see what happens next.

Please take a moment to tell us what you’re going to do or what you did to adopt the mindset of Gratitude to make a difference in your family. We’d love to hear some good stories.

This We Defend’s mission is to impact our culture through education, building economic opportunity, and developing healthy families all with a solid foundation of faith. Please help support our mission at GiveSendGo | A Lasting Impact With This We Defend