Talk to many people these days and they will tell you the same thing - that our world has taken “a turn for the worse.” I wish, and I think you do too, that life for all of us would have fewer conflicts, more appreciation, and many more people working together.
I wish that compassion could stay within reach.
I wish the words "thank you” were more in our speech.
I wish that connection ran deep to our core.
I wish, really wish, and wish more and more
That kindness, real kindness, ruled high above war.
I think, and I think you do too, that thankfulness is a must for this Thanksgiving - but let’s not let it be the end goal. If we are lucky enough to be at a Thanksgiving table this year with family and friends, what do you think about giving attention to getting back some of what we have lost?
To make it simple, how about starting with kindness and trying to retrieve that? Here are some tips from the world of parenting that hopefully will help: Being kind starts with being that way to ourselves - having good sound habits of eating, moving, breathing and sleeping. These are truly what make us feel good each day.
Next comes family, the group that practices all these strategies together. There is actually a way to write a “family mission statement” to help all this along. Then, comes spreading your good will to community, town/city, state, country and the world. While all this might sound like a long process, it flows quickly from one to the next.
Let us never forget our main purpose - to thrive and help those around us to do that, too. Another word for this is peace. Once thought to be accomplished by outer rules and regulations, new research charts its growth from within. Not only that, recent studies tell us that it actually starts forming from birth and grows from there. There is specific kind parent and family input daily during those first three years that set the stage for later kindness, positive thinking and productive behavior.
While being thankful for what we have this Thanksgiving is worthwhile and necessary, we know that getting back what we have lost is what matters most.
Technology and a growing virtual life make this harder, but not impossible. Use AI in all the wonderful ways you want and in any helpful endeavors. However, always remember you have RI (real intelligence) and EI (emotional intelligence) behind it all. Happy Thanksgiving.
