Four Unique Ways to Give Thanks This Thanksgiving

For many, the month of November is a time for gathering with family, friends, and plenty of turkey. The Thanksgiving holiday brings us together amid the colder, darker days of late fall and can provide a necessary opportunity to pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for.

Political division, a changing climate, global tensions, and even the stress of growing older can make the world feel anxiety-inducing on the best of days. While not a panacea for every emotion or every situation, taking the time to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude” has frequently been linked to lower stress levels, among other benefits for seniors.

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, we are exploring four unique ways that seniors and their loved ones can give thanks this year.

1. Care for your community.

Everyone needs community, whether that means two close friends that you’d trust with your life or an entire neighborhood of people that you enjoy light-hearted conversations with. Taking the time to intentionally give back to your community is a deeply fulfilling experience and helps strengthen these important bonds.

There is no shortage of ways for older adults to contribute to their community. Volunteer work is often the most popular. No matter what cause is most dear to your senior loved one’s heart, there is an abundance of volunteer opportunities specifically catered to seniors. Some ideas to get you started include:

• Assisting with food drives and meal deliveries
• Collecting supplies for veterans, service members, and military families
• Supporting local shelters and soup kitchens
• Participating in environmental cleanup efforts
• Reading to children at a library or nearby school
• Writing letters to people in prison
• Encouraging human rights groups’ efforts
• Organizing crafts and activities at senior centers
• Serving individuals or families in need through a local church, community of faith, or compassion-based mission.

Along with formal opportunities, seniors can strengthen their community through simple everyday actions. Whether you reside in a senior living community or still in your family home, get to know your neighbors and engage in conversation and genuine dialogue. Bring someone a meal. Share a smile or a shoulder to cry on. Post an inspiring message on a community bulletin board. Lend a friend your favorite book. The more care and kindness seniors put into their community, the more they will receive back.

2. Appreciate your blessings.

It is sometimes said that the key to happiness is appreciating what you have instead of worrying about what you don’t have. “What you have” can refer to everything from treasured belongings to beloved relationships to the basic necessities of food, water, and shelter. In a society that promotes a “keeping up with the Jones” lifestyle, it can be both sobering and grounding, for older adults and younger adults alike, to remember that there are millions of people who do not have access to safety, basic material needs, or fundamental rights and freedoms.

Take a moment to think about the blessings in your life and then write them down. Get as specific as you can. Grateful for the beautiful sunrise you saw recently? Write it down. Describe the beautiful colors and how you felt watching it. Grateful for a funny joke your grandchild told you? Write down the joke and something you love about your family members.

Older adults can benefit from a dedicated journaling process, which can be as simple as using a pen and paper or as complex as using a guided gratitude journal. Writing slows down the speed of your thought process as you put conscious effort into the words on the page, allowing you to reflect more deeply on what you think and feel. In addition, taking the time to write down what you are grateful for creates a tangible source that you can reflect upon in the future.

If journals aren’t your thing, consider opting for other ways of reflecting, such as meditation, gratitude walks, or expressing your gratitude out loud. The important part is choosing to reflect in a way that works best for you, and that you can commit to on a regular basis.

3. Cherish your loved ones’ life stories.

Did you know that November is Family Stories Month as well as National Life Writing Month? Our elders, including our own aging loved ones, have entire lives of amazing stories that offer a firsthand perspective into local history and major world events.

Before you rush out to the Black Friday sales, carve out some time to sit and listen to your older loved ones reminisce about their childhood and times gone by. Sharing this space together and taking in what they have to say can be an unbelievably enriching experience for both you and them.

If your older loved one is comfortable sharing their stories, suggest the idea of preserving their memories for future generations. With the wonders of today's technology, there are seemingly limitless ways to record and preserve your senior loved one's unique life story. Creating a video history is a vivid way to bring history to life, but an old-fashioned pencil-and-paper interview or lovingly crafted scrapbook can be just as meaningful and full of gratitude for your family history.

4. Incorporate Indigenous history into your Thanksgiving observance.

While perhaps an unexpected way to express gratitude, seeking to understand other cultures and the full history behind holidays is an important sign of respect that fosters deeper understanding and connection across generations.

The spirit behind the modern holiday of Thanksgiving is one of joy and thankfulness. However, the Native American people experienced inconceivable loss, suffering, and injustice as a result of the European settlers' arrival on the Plymouth shores. Look for meaningful and respectful ways to share and teach the factual history of both Native and American cultures with humility and grace. Adopting expressions of gratitude that offer an opportunity for reflection, while approaching culturally sensitive knowledge with an open mind and open heart, can shine a light on the full narrative of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Consider a virtual visit to an Indigenous-centered Museum or exploring the various traditions of gratitude and harvests from different Native cultures. Incorporate a traditional Native recipe into your Thanksgiving meal. Learn common words in the Native languages that may have been shared around the table. These practices can be deeply rewarding, honoring those who share the land with us as well as honoring seniors’ abilities to stay lifelong learners.

To learn more about how giving thanks aligns with United Methodist Homes’ values and commitment to our residents, contact us today or schedule a complimentary visit now.