Thanks + Giving

It’s finally here, our favourite fall feast weekend!  We’ve had visions of drumsticks, dressing, and pumpkin pie dancing in our heads for several weeks now and can almost taste it!  And although we are clearly lovers of all things ‘food’, we love what food can do even more, especially this upcoming weekend….it brings people together.

One thing that makes Thanksgiving ‘la crème de la crème’ of holidays is that it is a simple holiday; its roots are firmly planted in gathering to give thanks.  No shopping for present stressors, no figuring out why the strand of christmas lights is out, and as pretty as it is, no snow.  Really let’s all just agree that Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday!

Just as the pilgrims used to gather and feast together, being grateful for the harvest and the year to come, we too still celebrate in that tradition.  Granted, the world has changed significantly and perhaps some of the past traditions have changed but the premise is the same.  On the second Monday of October, Canadians gather with family and friends over turkey, pumpkin pie, and all the trimmings.  Most of us are very blessed; we have roofs over our heads, food on the table, and at least a few people in this world who we can really count on.  That in itself is something to be grateful for.

This year we want to offer up a bit of a ‘thanks giving’ challenge.  As much as we all relax and enjoy in each other’s company, watching the game, jumping in leaves with the kids, lingering over coffee after ‘the feast’, let’s try to be even more present.  Let’s try to take a few moments to really sit and think about everything we have to be thankful for.  One way to do this, and to really make those around you feel special, is by sharing a complement or something you are grateful for before starting dinner.  It is easy. Once everyone is sitting down one person starts and tells the person to their left (or right…whatever you choose) why you are grateful for them or something they do that you appreciate.  It is really amazing the things that come out of this.  Not only do people feel loved and appreciated, but sometimes you can learn that something you do (without even realizing it) makes a difference to someone else.  Perhaps you even want to take it a step further and during dessert share a personal event that you are thankful for that is in your life or occurred this year.  These simple exercises really push us to be present and to reflect on the abundance of good that it is in our lives.

At the end of the day there is so much to be thankful for.  Here at The Crossing we marvel every day at the beauty that surrounds us, we are grateful for the funny, hardworking, and vibrant team that makes this place tick, and obviously we have incredible clients whose loyalty, feedback, and presence allows us to live our dream of sharing this special place with others.

So to you and yours, from us and ours, we wish you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving weekend!