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Thanksgiving is complicated. For many of us, it’s a time to gather, reflect, and share gratitude. But the truth is, this holiday is rooted in colonization and harm to Indigenous peoples. We can’t ignore that if we’re serious about creating spaces of respect and accountability. So, how can we honor Indigenous communities and show up differently this Thanksgiving? Here are a few ways to start: 1. Educate Yourself and Your Guests: Learn the real history of Thanksgiving and share it with those around you. Native-led organizations like the Native American Rights Fund and IllumiNative offer valuable resources to guide these conversations. 2. Support Indigenous Communities: Donate to initiatives like the Land Back Movement or shop from Indigenous-owned businesses. It’s a small step that makes a big impact. 3. Acknowledge the Land: Take time to learn about the Native peoples who originally lived on the land you’re on. Use tools like the Native Land Map to incorporate land acknowledgments into your gathering. 4. Center Indigenous Voices: Share books, films, or media created by Indigenous people as part of your traditions. Listen to and uplift their stories. 5. Reframe Gratitude: Make your celebration about giving back, honoring resilience, and building community rooted in truth. Thanksgiving can be more than a meal. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the past, honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples, and commit to showing up differently. This year, let’s move beyond gratitude and focus on accountability and respect.

The Origins of Secret Santa The concept of Secret Santa, an anonymous gift exchange often celebrated during the holiday season, has roots in multiple cultural traditions and modern adaptations. Its primary goal is to foster generosity, community spirit, and a bit of holiday mystery. Here’s a brief history of how it came to be: Scandinavian Influence The name Secret Santa is believed to have been inspired by Scandinavian customs, particularly Julklapp (meaning “Christmas knock”). This tradition involved knocking on a door, leaving a gift, and running away without revealing the giver’s identity. Modern Secret Santa The term Secret Santa as we know it likely gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century. The structured version of the anonymous exchange—where participants draw names from a hat - was formalised in workplaces and schools as a way to encourage inclusivity and make holiday gift-giving more manageable. Larry Dean Stewart’s Contribution The concept of Secret Santa also gained attention thanks to Larry Dean Stewart, an American philanthropist who anonymously gave money to strangers during the holiday season. His acts of kindness inspired others to embrace anonymity in giving, cementing the idea of selfless generosity that Secret Santa embodies. Consider starting your own Secret Santa this year with a twist! Themes like handmade gifts or contributions tied to a shared interest (e.g., books or quirky gadgets) can make it even more memorable. #HolidayTraditions #SecretSanta #Generosity

As an estate planning lawyer, I help families every day dealing with the unexpected. Truly, creating a well crafted, legally valid estate plan makes things so very much easier for your family if there is an emergency or worse. We often think, "it won't happen to me" but sadly, everyone's time will come eventually. Estate plans are one way we can control and manage things on our family's behalf at the appopriate time. #ArizonaEstatePlanning #WhyYouNeedAnEstatePlan #ScheduleYourConsultation

As those who celebrate gather for Thanksgiving, remember that this day carries profoundly different meanings for different people. While many of us celebrate with family, Thanksgiving is also a National Day of Mourning. There would be no "Thanksgiving" without a reminder of the genocide, land theft, and cultural erasure that followed the arrival of colonizers in North America. We’ve been taught a one-sided story of Thanksgiving, one of peaceful feasts and friendship between settlers and the Wampanoag people in 1621. But that narrative leaves out the theft, grave robbing, and eventual massacres that followed. It also overlooks the ongoing struggles and resilience of Native communities today. Why This Matters: For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is not a celebration but a day to honor their ancestors and protest the centuries of oppression their people have faced. One example is a event organized by the Indigenous Peoples of New England, the National Day of Mourning on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth is a powerful act of remembrance and resistance. The Problem With Silence: Ignoring this history, whether in schools, workplaces, or family gatherings doesn’t make it disappear. Educators who use construction paper headdresses or reenactments unintentionally reduce rich Native cultures to stereotypes. When we skip over the truth, we miss the opportunity to understand and heal. Why Acknowledgment Is the First Step: We can’t change the past, but we can commit to learning, acknowledging, and doing better. This means recognizing the complexities of this holiday and creating space for Native voices to be heard not just in November but all year. What I’m Grateful For: This year, I’m thankful for the people who are honest about our history, who teach the full story, and who advocate for equity and inclusion. I’m reminded that change doesn’t require a perfect promise it requires a chance, a willingness to face hard truths and build something better together. Let’s use this Thanksgiving to listen, learn, and take action. If we’re truly grateful, let’s show it by standing with Native communities not just in acknowledgment but in solidarity. 💬 What are you reflecting on this Thanksgiving? Let’s talk about how we can honor the truth and move forward together. #MyUncertaintyEra #Thanksgiving #NationalDayOfMourning #Acknowledgment #Solidarity

Check and buy or just buy this video doorbell. 😆You won’t find anything like that on the market, believe me, I know it inside out, I know how it was developed, the number of ours spent by the team with users of thie prototypes variants and alternative products. The list of features and its benefits is so long that we had very very hard time to decide which to talk about in the marketing to keep it simple.🤔 All so unique you just want to tell the world all about it! 😂Check Assist Me function or no monthly fees to start with. Do I oversell it?😁I hope so since if something deserves overselling, this is it! 💪 PS. It’s not only for family houses, but could beneficial also for your loved ones who struggles moving around in their apparments. You can buy it here and many other places: https://lnkd.in/dEcBUDpb TechRadar is a great confirmation.

🎄 🤶 🤶 🎄 Christmas is a time for celebration, joy, and reflection. It's a time to connect with loved ones, share gifts, and create lasting memories. But beyond the festivities, the true spirit of Christmas lies in compassion and kindness. Why Celebrate? ✅ Hope and Renewal: Christmas offers a renewed sense of hope and the promise of a brighter future through Jesus Christ. ✅ Tradition and Connection: It's a time to honor cherished traditions and connect with family and friends, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories. ✅ Giving Back: Christmas encourages us to give back to our communities, helping those in need and spreading goodwill. Why Compassion? ✅ Humanity: (John3.16) Compassion is the cornerstone of a compassionate society under God. It fosters empathy, understanding, and a sense of shared humanity. ✅ Making a Difference: Acts of compassion, big or small, can make a significant difference in the lives of others. ✅ Inner Peace: Showing compassion towards others brings a sense of inner peace and fulfillment. This Christmas, let's embrace the spirit of the season – celebrate with joy and share compassion with those around us. Let's build a world where kindness and empathy prevail. #Christmas #Compassion #HolidaySpirit #GivingBack #Humanity #JesusChrist Ruby Interiors Ltd Simba Leather Africa

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred family holidays and celebrations across the United States and Canada, Thanksgiving is closer than we think. This special time to reflect on the bounty of the previous year brings warmth and gratitude as families reunite with one another. And if you’re already planning your Thanksgiving celebration this year, one aspect you don’t want to overlook is getting the right Thanksgiving appreciation gifts. Check out the blog following the link below! https://hubs.la/Q02W4gHL0 #TotallyChocolate #PersonalizedGifts #CustomChocolate #Thanksgiving #Blogger

🎄 The Gift of Peace 🎄 Christmas is a time for joy, love, and laughter – but for many rural families, there’s an unspoken tension beneath the tinsel. 🤔💔 Who will take over the farm? How will assets be divided? Will everyone stay mates? Succession planning doesn’t just protect the farm – it protects family harmony. 💬💞 Imagine the relief of knowing that future Christmas gatherings will be about love and connection, not awkward silences or hidden resentments. 🎁✨ This season, let’s focus on preserving what truly matters – your family. It all starts with a cuppa, a chat ☕, and a plan to ensure that every holiday brings peace, not problems. 🌟💚 #FamilyHarmony #SuccessionPlanning #

Merry Christmas! As we celebrate this beautiful season, I want to remind us all that Christmas should never be about overspending or putting ourselves in debt. It’s not about buying the most expensive gifts or keeping up with the latest trends. The true meaning of Christmas is about love, gratitude, and the gift of Jesus and eternal life. It’s about cherishing the blessings we’ve been given and passing on something meaningful to those we love. As I reflected on this season, I thought about my sons—27, 28, and 30—and what I could give them that would truly set the foundation for something lasting. Something that could build a legacy, not just for them, but for generations to come. And then it came to me—Generational Wealth. This year, instead of traditional gifts, I gave them something more meaningful, something that can continue to grow and provide for our family for years ahead. I handed each of them a Christmas card containing three very special papers: The document for our Family Estate and Trust, a solid foundation to build upon. The deed to our family timeshare, now fully paid off. The purchase agreement for our new 4.8 acres of land, a place where dreams can grow and flourish. This is just the beginning. With each birthday and Christmas to come, I’ll continue to bless them with gifts that increase in value, expanding our family legacy with more land, more property, and more opportunities for future generations. As a mother, there’s no greater joy than knowing I’m laying the groundwork for their future success, prosperity, and security. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to build this legacy with them, and I pray they will carry it forward with love and wisdom. This is my gift to them—Generational Wealth—and the greatest blessing I could ever give. #generationalweath #buyland #land #properties #Christmas #gifts #thetruemeaningofchristmas #blessedbeyondmeasures