thanksgiving spirit

Thanksgiving is awesome.  There's great food, great friends, and it's a great chance for people to take a step back and be thankful for the things they have.  And while I'm thankful for a lot of things, I'm not going to make you read through the list.  Around Thanksgiving and through the Christmas season, its heartwarming to see people using this as an opportunity to donate, volunteer, and be all-around more pleasant, helpful people (black friday crazies excluded).  To make a difference.  It makes me think a little bit further, though.  What happens after the holiday ends?  Do we retain that ambition?

This is something I've struggled with.  I try to be an all-around more pleasant person, albiet not always successful.  I enjoy volunteering but should do it more often.  I participate in the United Way campaign and the food drive at work.  And this year around the holidays some friends and I are planning to bake cookies to donate to an agency that provides resources and support to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS in the Twin Cities. Those are all nice, but the part that I struggle with is finding my passion. My purpose.  My consistent role in making a difference - and I hope I find it. 

The point is this: the holidays are certainly a great time to be thankful for what you have, aware of where the needs are to help others, and to donate, volunteer, support, or be an all-around pleasant person - just don't forget about the rest of the year. And even if you don't have time or resources available to volunteer or donate, simply remembering to smile and say 'thank you' to people around you or holding a door can go a long way in making someone's day.