Beyond the Table: The Power of Thanksgiving Every Day

Introduction: Taking Time to Appreciate the Every Day

We live in a world where everything moves so quickly—work, family, social media, goals, to-do lists, you name it. We’re constantly moving from one task to the next, and somewhere along the way, we forget to simply be. We forget to take a moment, even a few seconds, to be thankful for the everyday gifts that we often overlook.

It’s easy to get swept up in the idea of gratitude as something we need to display, something we say or write down when we receive a gift or when something good happens. It’s easy to reserve it for special moments, but have we really stopped to feel thankful for the simple things in life?

Thankfulness doesn’t have to be reserved for a Thanksgiving dinner or a grand gesture. It can be found in the simplest things we take for granted: the food on our table, the comfort of our home, our health, or even our toothbrush. These everyday moments are where true thankfulness resides, not in waiting for something big to happen but in actively noticing the small blessings we experience every day. In this post, I want to explore the idea of simply being thankful—of taking the time to be present in the moment and appreciate what we already have, whether we’re religious or not. Thankfulness isn’t a grand act; it’s the quiet, gentle act of presence and acknowledgment in the everyday things we may not think about—but that truly deserve our attention. We can endeavor to reside in a state of thanksgiving.

The Power of Thankfulness in Everyday Life

Thankfulness isn’t just an emotion—it’s a practice. It’s something we can actively choose to cultivate each day, whether we’re sitting at a grand feast or running errands. It is about shifting our perspective, noticing the goodness in our lives, and opening ourselves to receiving more.

Research has shown that thankfulness practices can lead to improved mental health, greater life satisfaction, and even physical benefits like better sleep and lower stress. By intentionally practicing thankfulness, we create a powerful ripple effect in our lives, making space for more joy and abundance to flow.

But let’s go deeper. The real power of thankfulness lies in its ability to transform our emotional and spiritual well-being. When we focus on what we’re thankful for, we activate a positive feedback loop that influences our energy, health, relationships, and sense of purpose.

Taking a moment to recognize what’s good in our lives shifts our energy and provides us with the capacity to face challenges with a more grounded and calm approach. Thankfulness is not just a state of mind; it’s a way of being that nurtures the heart, nourishes the spirit, and builds a foundation of peace. I would challenge that we could go even one step farther and make the state of thanksgiving be a part of our being. Like a reverent prayer for our very breath, our very life.

Why We Need Thankfulness Beyond the Table

Sure, saying “thank you” during a holiday meal is beautiful, but think about what would happen if we embraced this practice on a daily basis. Thanksgiving isn’t just about one day in November (or October for us Canadians)—it’s about cultivating an attitude of being thankful that we can carry with us all year long.

When we practice thankfulness daily, we reinforce the positive aspects of our lives and the world around us. Instead of focusing on what’s missing or what isn’t working, we turn our attention to what we already have, which shifts our energy and vibrational frequency.

You’ve heard me talk about joy before—it’s not something you just get, it’s something you cultivate. And it’s the same with thankfulness. Just like joy, thankfulness is an energy that grows when we give it attention. When we notice the little things—the warmth of a cup of coffee in the morning, the kindness of a stranger, the beauty of nature around us—we tap into a well of abundance that fuels our manifestation process. When we actively practice thankfulness, we align ourselves with the energy of abundance, which is magnetic and invites more good into our lives.

Thankfulness goes hand in hand with joy—it amplifies it. When you appreciate what’s in front of you, what you already have, your joy becomes a vibrant, pulsating force that not only lifts you but also lifts those around you. It becomes easier to smile, to laugh, and to give love. You can’t help it! The more you embrace thankfulness, the more your life starts to shine.

Thankfulness as a Mindful Practice

Now, what if we took thankfulness beyond an emotional response to a deliberate, mindful practice? Mindfulness is about being present, acknowledging the here and now, without getting distracted by the past or future. When you practice mindfulness, you are actively engaging in the present moment with full attention. This concept ties beautifully with thankfulness.

When you consciously choose to be thankful, you are engaging in mindfulness—taking a pause to recognize and appreciate the small things in life. It’s not about waiting for something big to happen or for a special occasion to feel thankful. It’s about bringing awareness to your everyday experiences, no matter how ordinary they may seem.

Taking time to simply “be thankful” helps us step out of the chaos of daily life and gives us the space to reflect. It’s like turning down the volume of the busy world and tuning into the quiet beauty that surrounds us. This intentional act of mindfulness helps us cultivate a sense of peace and fulfillment that permeates every area of our lives.

Appreciating the Little Things

One of the easiest ways to begin cultivating thankfulness is to start small. This is about slowing down and taking a moment for what’s before you. Whether it’s your food, your car, your cozy bed, or your mom’s laugh, simply taking time to recognize and acknowledge what you have can make a world of difference.

Here are a few examples of ways we can take time for thanksgiving in our everyday lives:

• Thankful for Your Food: Next time you sit down for a meal, take a moment to think about where your food came from. Whether it was grown by a farmer, brought to you by the truckers who travel miles to get it to you, or lovingly prepared by a family member, pause for just a second to express thanks. It sounds simple, but that moment of acknowledgment is powerful.
• Thankful for Your Body: How often do we take our health for granted? Whether you're in peak physical condition or dealing with health challenges, simply taking a moment to thank your body for all that it does to keep you going is an act of thanksgiving. From your heart beating to your lungs breathing, every part of you deserves acknowledgment.
• Thankful for Your Home: Whether it’s a sprawling mansion or a tiny apartment, your home is a sanctuary. You are safe, sheltered, and provided for—take a moment each day to be thankful for that. Even if there’s mess and chaos around, the fact that you have a space to call your own is worth celebrating. And eventually you will walk in your home in an air of thanksgiving.
• Thankful for Your Relationships: Take a moment to appreciate the people in your life—your partner, your children, your friends, your pets. These are the ones who bring love and joy into your life, even on the hardest of days. Show them thanks, not just in words but through actions, even the small ones. Your energy reflects how you are feeling and being. If you are in a state of thanksgiving this will reflect in your relationships.

These may sound simple, but the key is that in each of these moments, we can pause and recognize what we have in front of us. It’s not about saying grace or writing down a gratitude list; it’s about feeling thankful in the moment, no matter how mundane.

The Ripple Effect of Thankfulness

Just like joy, thankfulness has a ripple effect. When we practice thankfulness, we start to see more reasons to be thankful. The more we focus on the positive, the more we attract positive energy. This is why Thanksgiving is not just for one day a year; it’s a mindset we can cultivate every day.

The act of being thankful helps to boost our overall vibration and energy, which in turn attracts more abundance and positivity. This isn’t just woo-woo philosophy; it’s the law of attraction in action. When you feel thankful, you create more space for love, success, and connection to flow into your life. The energy you put out comes back to you in unexpected and beautiful ways.

Finding the Humor in the Journey

Let’s not forget the importance of humor in this whole process! Life can get heavy, and we often find ourselves weighed down by our responsibilities, goals, and the pressures of daily life. That’s why it’s crucial to sprinkle some laughter into our celebrations of small wins. After all, joy and laughter go hand in hand!

When we take ourselves too seriously, we miss out on the magic that comes with finding humor in our journeys. Remember, it’s okay to laugh at the little mishaps along the way! Maybe you burned your dinner while trying to multitask, or perhaps you took a wrong turn during your morning jog. Instead of getting frustrated, chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Life is a series of unpredictable events, and our ability to find joy in those moments makes all the difference. We can be thankful that the mishaps remind ous of the blessings.

By embracing humor, we can shift our focus from perfectionism to authenticity. We’re all human, navigating this wild ride of life, and laughter is a powerful tool that helps us stay grounded while celebrating our progress. We can be very thankful for our ability to laugh can’t we?

Thanksgiving in the Every Day

Thanksgiving isn't just one day,
It’s the quiet moments along the way.
A breath, a laugh, a gentle touch,
These small blessings matter so much.

Thank you for the warmth of the sun,
For the love that shines when the day is done.
For the little things, like morning coffee,
For the moments of peace when life’s not too rocky.

Thanksgiving lives in every beat,
In the rhythm of life, it’s pure and sweet.
Not in the feast, but in the simple things,
Like the joy a phone call from a friend brings.

Thank you for the noise, the joy, the mess,
For the chaos we embrace and still call blessed.
For the memories made, the laughter shared,
Thanksgiving is a practice, one that’s always there.

So let’s celebrate now, not just once a year,
But in every small moment, far and near.
Thanksgiving is more than just a date—
It’s a way of living, a mindset that’s great. - TJF

Conclusion: Thankfulness is a Lifestyle

Thankfulness isn’t just for Thanksgiving Day; it’s a lifestyle. It’s a daily practice, a mindset that we can cultivate in every moment, a state of being. It’s about noticing the small things, appreciating what we already have, and making room for even more abundance. By taking time to be in thanksgiving—not just during special moments but every day—we open ourselves to a life filled with love, joy, and fulfillment.

Call to Action

This week, I challenge you to slow down and be in thanksgiving. Take a moment every day to appreciate what you already have, whether it’s your food, your home, or the people around you. Share your moments of thanksgiving with me using #DailyThanksgiving and let’s create a community of appreciation and joy. The more we practice, the more we’ll see the magic in the everyday moments of life.

"Thanksgiving" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"We walk on the Earth, in the light of the sun,
The fruit of the seasons, the harvest is done.
We gather together, with friends and with kin,
To give thanks for the bounty and all we have been.

The gifts of the earth, the gifts of the air,
The blessings of family, of love, and of care,
Let us pause in this moment, as hearts we will share,
And offer our thanks for the beauty we wear."

And finally I thought we would honour you American’s celebrating thankfulness this weekend:

Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 Thanksgiving Proclamation

“We have shared the blessings of freedom and democracy, of education and opportunity, of progress and peace. In thanksgiving, we should remember the greatness of our heritage and the obligation we have to maintain it for our children and future generations.”

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, achieve more, and have more, let’s take a step back and appreciate the little things that make our lives rich and full. It’s in the quiet moments, the glimmer of kindness, the laughter shared with loved ones, and the simple acts of self-care that we find true abundance.

So, this Thanksgiving and every day thereafter, I encourage you to pause, breathe, and be present in the moment. Take time to be thankful for the food on your table, the love in your life, and the strength in your heart. In doing so, you’ll not only enrich your own life, but you'll also inspire those around you to embrace thankfulness, joy, and appreciation.

With a heart full of gratitude for all of you,
Toni ❤️🦃