During one our countries most divided and tumultuous times – Abraham Lincoln recognized our deep human need to be grateful amidst the suffering and chaos. In 1863, He proclaimed a National day of Thanksgiving.

Many events have changed since 1863 but our need to be intentionally and actionably grateful has not.

When we are worried, anxious or fearful we cannot feel gratitude. When we rely on the circumstances of our lives to dictate whether we are thankful, it works against us. This is unfortunately a common and confusing pattern that causes us to look to others for cures to feel thankful. The idea of thanksgiving becomes a backwards re-active worldview of thanksgetting. 

When we look inward and give outward we experience peace regardless of the external circumstances of our lives. Thanksgiving becomes an opportunity to serve unconditionally from the inside out. 

When our mind is cluttered we don’t feel thankful. When our mind is clear, we do feel thankful.

When we actively serve, we naturally give more than we take. When we are grateful we fill the world around us with a selfless and resilient example of thanksgiving. Gratitude is in inside out job that starts with us. On thanksgiving, the greatest opportunity to truly experience peace is to serve and be the change you want to see in the world.