Editorial Board

Thanksgiving 2016 comes on the heels of a particularly divisive presidential election. We’re in the midst of a time of high emotion in the United States.

And as families across the country gather to celebrate with one another, some family members will be feeling anxiety.

Forty-five percent of Americans anticipate political discussion at the dinner table this Thanksgiving, according to a recent national online survey by ABC. Thirty-eight percent said the idea of talking politics is somewhat stressful;14 percent said it’s very stressful.

Yes, there are things to be anxious about this Thanksgiving Day. In that regard, the same could have been said in 1789 when George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States. In that proclamation, Washington called upon Americans to unite and be thankful for the conclusion of the previous war of independence and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Then and now, worries about the state of the country and our individual lives were understandable. Yet on Thanksgiving Day, even with unrest in our nation as the backdrop, we are afforded the opportunity to stop and reflect on what we are grateful for. For one day during our otherwise hectic lives, we hit the brakes and think about what’s most important to us.

All of us should seize this opportunity to think about and then openly express gratitude for the things big and small that we deeply appreciate. On Thanksgiving, whether your gathering is large or small, make an effort to focus on the good and enjoy your loved ones.

Take the time to laugh; yuk it up with family that you don’t see often or loved ones you don’t see often enough. A good laugh can soothe tension and lighten the heavy load on your mind.

Take the time to talk. Share what’s happening in your life and sincerely inquire about what’s going with others. And take the time to listen, truly listen, to your friends and family. Get to know them again if you have grown apart; or solidify your bond so that you remain as tight as ever.

Take time to bask in the memories of Thanksgiving past and the loved ones who are no longer around the table. Smile at the warm memories and the traditions that have continued as part of your loved one’s legacy.

When Thanksgiving Day and weekend are over, the hustle and bustle in our lives will rev up again. But that shouldn’t stop any of us from being grateful. Today and everyday, we should all count our blessings.