Preserving the Spirit of Thanksgiving in a Changing World
Thanksgiving week, one of my favorite weeks of the year, has been especially dear to me since my time in the military. Unlike other holidays, it always takes place on Thursday, meaning Friday was always a day off for us service members. In the military, we got to sign out on a four-day pass early on Wednesday. And let's be honest, Monday and Tuesday were basically non-events, aside from PT and some meetings. There was never any serious training, save for maybe being manifested for a jump. Airborne!
What's so great about this holiday is that everyone seems to be universally feeling a certain type of way—dare I say, joyous? It's the quintessential start to the holiday season, which I personally believe is also the best time of the year. Almost everybody is in a better mood, aside from your classic Scrooges.
But why is this? There's a reason I bring all this up on this publication. I'd wager it has to do with the fact that for most Americans, this is a guaranteed time of year when they get to—some might say are forced to—spend quality time with their family and extended families and friends and celebrate togetherness and each other's presence. Thanksgiving truly embodies all that is good about American culture and human life as a whole.
The tradition of coming together, gathering around a bountiful spread of food, celebrating life’s moments, is not just a cultural practice but a deeply human one, embedded in the very fabric of our history. This communal way of living — where tribes hunted, gathered, feasted, and supported one another, sharing every aspect of life from birth to death — has defined human existence for millennia. Within these tribes existed robust support systems, a sense of unbreakable community and familial bonds.
This profound connection to communal living is etched deep in our being, in our very DNA. Carl Jung might argue that this archetype of the 'tribal community' is imprinted in us from birth, an indelible part of our collective psyche. It speaks to a fundamental need, almost biological in nature, for belonging and connection to achieve a sense of completeness, of wholeness in life. Contrary to the individualistic ethos modern society often champions, our roots lie in being integral parts of a tribe, a multigenerational family, a wider community. This intrinsic yearning for communal life underlines the importance and joy we find in gatherings like Thanksgiving, where we momentarily rekindle what has always been a quintessential part of our human experience.
In today's society, where the norm has become to step out of the familial nest at around 18 and carve out an independent path, often without the close-knit support of an extended family, this evolution feels particularly poignant. The trend towards smaller family units only amplifies this sense of isolation, leaving many with a diminished support network. That's why, when Thanksgiving and the holiday season approach, my heart swells with an overwhelming sense of joy. It's not just about reuniting with my immediate family; it's the cherished opportunity to surround myself with all my loved ones, including those close friends who have become like family. This season becomes a much-needed antidote to the year-round fragmentation we experience, a time when the distance and bustle give way to the warmth and closeness that I deeply cherish.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, but I find it sad that we, as a nation, don't experience this sort of togetherness more often during the year, especially since it's so vital to our health and wellness. There are other holidays for bringing family and friends together, but none are quite like Thanksgiving, which truly is the one day a year when extended family is together for almost an entire day. It's a day filled with a massive turkey-centered feast, outdoor family activities, and football on TV, with the familiar perennial Thanksgiving teams, the Cowboys and the Lions—so Thanksgiving, so American. Then there are the desserts, the family squabbles, the raucous laughter, the screaming of children running around—the constant noise of humans in their most ideal state, surrounded by others, by family, by love and warmth and comfort. It’s so human. So us.
I see all this and embrace it so dearly. But I am concerned about the ever-looming threat of our industrialized, materialistic, profit over people-oriented society deepening its tentacles into this beautiful time of year. The infamous Black Friday following Thanksgiving, the ultimate symbol of American consumerism, has been encroaching on the holiday itself for years now, with stores opening and deals starting even before families sit day to enjoy their Thanksgiving meal, symbolizing how communal and reflective values are being replaced by a rush for retail bargains. The recent addition of football on Back Friday too, turning a weekend of gratitude into one of entertainment and consumption, underscores the shift from cultural celebration to commercial spectacle.
Beyond the fading allure of returning home for Thanksgiving, I'm sensing a deeper shift. Many families, fractured in today’s fast-paced world, find the holiday's traditional warmth dimmed. It's not just the splintering of family ties, but also the growing trend of working through holidays, a reflection of the relentless march of modern life. This brings to mind a spreading sense of anomie — a profound social disconnection and instability — that seems to pervade our country.
As I observe these changes, it strikes me how our culture is increasingly enmeshed in the industrial machine's gears, often unwittingly. The Thanksgiving of old, steeped in togetherness and pause, now finds itself overshadowed by profit-driven narratives, exemplified by the vacant chairs at dinner tables and the 'Open for Business' signs in store windows. It's a poignant reminder of how deeply commercial interests have woven into the fabric of our once-sacred traditions.
The evolving Thanksgiving landscape is also marked by a subtle shift in our culinary traditions — from the heartfelt labor of homemade dishes to the convenience of store-bought food, a change dictated by the relentless pace of typical American life. Yet, this trend isn't all-encompassing. Many families still cherish the ritual of cooking everything from scratch, holding onto the essence of Thanksgiving as a celebration of not just togetherness but also of culinary craft—I’m fortunate that many branches of my family still do. These households, bustling with the warmth of kitchen activities, stand as a testament to tradition in the face of modern haste. If such dedication to home cooking were more common throughout the year, perhaps we’d find ourselves embracing not just the spirit of these traditions but also a healthier lifestyle. The contrast between homemade and store-bought, in this light, becomes more than a culinary choice — it's a reflection of our changing values and priorities.
Thanksgiving, in essence, symbolizes the epitome of a fulfilling and healthy life, offering a blueprint for how we might aspire to live more regularly. It's a time when the simple pleasures of eating home-cooked meals, spending quality time with family and friends, and sharing life's journeys take center stage, allowing us to momentarily step away from the relentless pace of American life. This holiday acts as a gentle reminder to slow down, to savor moments that truly matter, and to reconnect with what makes us fundamentally human. In doing so, it offers a much-needed counterbalance to the often profit-driven, fast-paced industrial structure that dominates much of our daily existence. It's imperative, therefore, that we cherish and protect this valuable holiday, this essential pause in our year. It's more than just a break; it's a vital respite from the less healthy aspects of contemporary American life, a chance to rejuvenate and remember the joy of simply being together.
As we partake in these age-old traditions, let us also pause and ponder. How can we carry the spirit of Thanksgiving into our everyday lives? Can we choose to slow down, prioritize connections over consumerism, and cherish the simple yet profound joy of togetherness not just once a year, but every day? I urge you, as this Thanksgiving passes, to hold onto its essence. Let's resist the siren call of materialism that threatens to overshadow our true values. Let's commit to making time for family, for community, for nutritious food, and for the wholesome simplicity that feeds our souls. In a world racing towards an ever more frantic future, let's choose to remember and uphold the lessons of Thanksgiving – a reminder of what truly matters in life. Together, we can make a conscious effort to not only give thanks on this day but to live thankfully, embracing the values of togetherness, gratitude, home-cooked meals and community throughout the year.
So with all that said, let's eat some delicious homemade food, gather around the family table and homes, celebrate the joy of life and togetherness, enjoy the football games on TV, eat as much home-cooking as our hearts desire, and simply revel in the specialness of this time of year. I know I will be.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and as always,
Stay Aware. Stay Empowered. Stay Free.
-Greg