How to Make Your Thanksgiving an Intimate Celebration

Happy Thanksgiving!

What is the most important thing about Thanksgiving to you? Is it the turkey and garlic mashed potatoes? The connection with your family and friends? The cool autumn day and being in nature? A day off to relax without the pressure of gift giving?

What makes a celebration intimate? I’m referring to the feelings of connection and warmth you feel when in close proximity to people who feel safe, who have your back.

Being with people who get you and are FOR you calms your nervous system. You feel the release of nervous tension viscerally in your body. It feels like taking a deep sigh, “Ahhhhh…..

Below are a few ideas how you can create such an intimate atmosphere on Thanksgiving Day, which depends only on your willingness to do so, not on anyone else and how they behave. That’s good news, isn’t it?

Morning Rituals: Setting the Tone for Heartfelt Connection

Start your day with some sort of grounding and centering activity. Maybe that’s a brisk walk with your dog or by yourself out in nature. Perhaps you enjoy meditating by a fireplace (or a pretend one on youtube).

Recommendation if you’re not sure what to do:

Light a candle, put on some soft music, and find a pretty journal. Let your family know you want a ½ hour all to yourself.  It’s okay to lock the door.

Do you have some inspiring literature to center yourself? Some people read a few pages of the Bible. I have several books that have daily readings in them. One is called Healing After Loss. Another is Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much.

Find a piece of literature that feels good to you and spend 5 minutes taking it in.

Ask yourself this question and then write for a few minutes about it.  “How can I feel at peace today with myself and my life exactly as it is?” Notice what comes up for you. Then set an intention: I intend to seek peace and authentic connection today.

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