Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
We inform. You decide.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Once again, we are approaching the glorious American holiday known as Thanksgiving. Millions of Americans will travel to visit friends and family, gorge themselves on delicious food and watch football. Millions of other Americans will shovel their Thanksgiving meals into their mouths as quickly as possible in order to join the frenzy of shoppers at their local malls.

Love it or hate it, it’s quintessentially American. But we’re missing something. Millions claim they are thankful for their health, friends, family and the bountiful food on the table, and most probably are sincere about it. However, it’s due time that we all sincerely give thanks for what we have. Instead of rushing through dinner to shop, watching football in silence or fighting with your cousins, have another piece of pecan pie, reflect on the year that’s passed and give thanks.

By some measures, 2014 has been a lousy year. War, disease, political strife and uncertain economic times can make a nation and world quite weary, but given the circumstances outside our great country, we all need to sit around the table next week and give thanks for all we have. Sure, we may hate the president or despise the Republican Congress, or fear what will be around the corner, but for Thanksgiving, let’s be content. After all, it’s a day in which we are typically fat and happy. Well, at least fat.

Uncertainty may reign supreme, but after a year like 2014, we all deserve a day away from the pressures and stresses of the world and relax. Sure, your travel arrangements might create headaches and the thought of choking down another piece of your long-lost aunt’s horrendous fruit cake might drive you mad, but relax. Thanksgiving is the great American holiday, and it’s time we enjoy it.

Schools, businesses, government offices and at least a few retail locations close on Thanksgiving — and typically the day after — as a way to thank their employees and provide millions of Americans a brief respite from their hectic work lives. Yet, Thanksgiving stresses us out and inexplicably millions end up spending more time shopping that weekend than they do at home shoveling food into their mouths or spending time with relatives.

Last year, I penned a similar column bashing retailers who chose to open on Thanksgiving Day, denying their employees a day off. But this year, it’s time we turn inward and look at ourselves. Thanksgiving occurs with just over a month left in the year and provides enough time for self-reflection and perhaps even a small preview of where we want to go next year.

Yet, we seldom consider this when we shovel that second helping of stuffing on our plates or watch the Detroit Lions lose another Thanksgiving Day football game. We’re counting down the minutes until we leave that long lost aunt’s house or rush to Best Buy in a futile attempt to purchase a ridiculously cheap television.

Most of us are guilty — columnist included — of ignoring the deeper meaning of Thanksgiving, but after the year we’ve had, it seems like the right time to start giving meaningful thanks. We can still participate in our annual gluttony — both in terms of food and shopping — and still ruminate on the year that’s past and the year that’s ahead.

Sure, New Year’s Eve might be the traditional time to reflect and plan for the new year, but New Year’s Eve is typically a time for debauchery and wild parties, whereas Thanksgiving — despite the overwhelming amount of food — is quieter, pensive and, if we’re lucky, filled with family. Who knows, if you make a New Year’s Resolution on Thanksgiving instead of New Year’s Eve, you just might be able to keep the resolution because there’s honestly no better time to swear off sweets than after your third piece of pecan pie.

Joel Mendelson is a UF grad student in political campaigning. His columns usually appear on Wednesdays.

[A version of this story ran on page 7 on 11/18/2014"]

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox
Support your local paper
Donate Today
The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Please consider giving today.

Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2024 The Independent Florida Alligator and Campus Communications, Inc.