It is Thanksgiving and you may still be grieving and lonely, unsure of yourself and in a mental fog. You are likely wondering how you will get through the day with family and friends surrounding you, expressing their condolences, asking how you are doing, or awkwardly trying to ignore the topic altogether. They love you and you love them; however, it can feel a bit surreal and strained, making you feel out of place and a bit uncomfortable.
In addition, you may not feel very thankful. After all, a large part of your life is gone and you are left to pick up the pieces.
So, how can you overcome this grief challenge, or at least lessen its impact?
I would like to suggest that you consider starting a gratitude journal. I would further suggest that you begin today. It is easy to get started and VERY inexpensive. All you need is paper and something to write with. Alternately, you can purchase a gratitude journal online or use any notepad you might have on hand.
A gratitude journal will help you to focus on the good and distance you from your grief. Don’t get me wrong, you will still need to work through your emotions and this takes time, but beginning to notice and be aware of the good things outside of your cloud of grief can be comforting and reassuring.
Also, you might be able to use your gratitude entries to create a better experience for yourself on Thanksgiving by directing conversations away from your grief and toward the people and things you are truly grateful for.
All you need to do is look for things that you are grateful for and jot them down in your gratitude journal. These things can be related to faith, people, places, or things. They can be emotions or events.
A few of mine are:
- I am thankful for the love and laughter of my grandchildren.
- I am thankful for the safe return of my son-in-law from his Marine deployment.
- I am thankful for the health of my family.
- I am thankful for lunch today with my dear friend, Judy.
- I am thankful that my husband, Ken, is no longer in pain and is now safe with the Lord.
- I am thankful that Jesus watches over me and will be by my side always.
By doing this simple exercise daily, you will see and revel in the good that is in your world. It will help you to step outside of your mourning and to see that there are indeed people and things for which to be grateful. By adding to your gratitude journal on a daily basis, you will increase your level of happiness. Yes, really! Science backs up this claim.
Starting a gratitude journal might just make your time with family and friends on Thanksgiving a bit more enjoyable and less stressful, too.
Have a blessed, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Keep looking up,
Melodee
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
[Eph. 5:18-21, NASB]
