By Joan Courtney, C.Ht. — Unstuck Living

Thanksgiving. A time for turkey and pumpkin pie. For stuffing and Mom’s special recipe that only she can make, and rolls and candied yams. For the leaves changing in a riot of color. But most of all, this is a time for gratitude, the magical warmth of the heart.  

To me, this is the season of giving thanks. And it comes in many shapes. Years ago, Ken and I were RVing down in Baja California over Thanksgiving. He was an excellent cook, and I was the cleanup crew. Cinnamon was an essential ingredient for one of his dishes, so off I went to the little tienda in the center of town. 

Another woman and I simultaneously reached for this spice, grabbing the only container on the shelf. Unable to talk to her and with the box in hand, I motioned her to the cashier, who, fortunately, was bilingual. I explained that both of us needed this spice. Did she have a plastic bag or container where we could split it? Voila! Mission accomplished. With the need fulfilled, all three of us smiled widely at each other. Grateful that the spice was on the shelf. Grateful for the helpful cashier. Grateful for the willingness to work it out. 

But then? 

Yikes! By the tail end of this August, I walked into stores putting up Halloween and Christmas décor. If Thanksgiving was there, it was a lone afterthought. 

A sad situation.



Let’s change it up!

Let’s be grateful for all that we have. I am blessed in many ways. A few things on my list are:

• Readily available produce and products. Yes, there’s pre-planning in our little mountain towns. But between the grocery stores and Amazon, you can get all you need for a scrumptious meal. A true luxury!

• Family and friends. Although this holiday might feel different this year, I am thankful for those close to me. We may celebrate at home or through Zoom, but we still share the love and connection.

• Good health. For those of us who possess this precious asset, it remains an ongoing gift. For those still working on it, I appreciate your energy and effort to reach a better place.

• Those who provide services for us. Grocery clerks, postal workers, and mail drop folks. Essential hospital staff. Our armed forces here and abroad. And many others. I salute you!  

• A big shout-out to my clients. This has been a challenging time for many of us small business owners. I am grateful for those who reach out to me for help in ending old patterns and getting unstuck. I appreciate your confidence in me and my work. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with each and every one of you. Thank you.  

These are just a few items on my list, and I’m sure you have many others. During this time of year, I suggest you pause and take a moment to give thanks for what you have. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!