“attitude of gratitude”

Thanksgiving to the Ellison’s is like the World Cup to Messi. A week full of all of our favorite things: copious amounts of turkey, football, fall weather and all the cozy sweaters it brings, ugg boots, pie making, family debates after too many cocktails and a copious amount of thankfulness.

But, if there is anyone who can explain the true essence of Thanksgiving, it is none other than my dad, Jeff. Thanksgiving aficionado and football fanatic, this man is the master of the turkey, the beer slinging king, pie making expertise, and Friendsgiving game maker. If there was one holiday that embodies Jeff Ellison, it’s Thanksgiving. With that being said, I think his words transcend farther than mine do today.

On Monday, as I casually sat in my 10:20 spanish class, my family and I received one of our new favorite messages to date:

“It's no secret that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Not only am I a certified “Turkey Junkie” like my spirit animal Old Man Parker in a Christmas Story, but I look forward each year to all that the Holiday represents for me: Fellowship, Family and a pause at the start of the hectic Holiday season to reflect on all the tremendous blessings in my life.

If I have one problem with Thanksgiving (besides LeLe’s sometimes lumpy mashed potatoes), it’s the name bestowed upon it. Being thankful and practicing true gratitude are quite different things. We all grew up being told to say “Thank You” when someone did something kind for us. It became easy to use these terms gratefulness and thankfulness interchangeably, but what I am beginning to learn is that they are not synonyms.

Thankfulness is a reaction. It’s a temporary response to a temporary circumstance (that shining new Red Ryder BB Gun under the tree on Christmas Morning). When something good or exciting happens, it is easy to be thankful. We appreciate the warm feelings that come with gifts or happy news. Thankfulness involves how we feel in the moment, and like all feelings, eventually, it fades.

True gratitude is much more. It is a chosen state of being. Gratitude is an attitude of appreciation under any circumstance. Practicing gratitude is something all of us can do each day regardless of how our day is going or what craziness swirls around us. It means expressing thankfulness and being appreciative of life even when nothing particularly exciting happens. You don’t need something good to happen to have gratitude, and when bad things happen, your gratitude doesn’t change – in my experience, this is where gratitude really shines through!

Maintaining an “Attitude of Gratitude” unlocks the richness of life. It turns what we have, however little, into enough and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. IT MAKES EVERY DAY A MIRACLE.

I am beyond Grateful for each of you. I love us. We are rock.” - Jeff Ellison, my dad.

There’s truly no way to follow that up, but here is my best effort:

In life we are faced with endless choices. Some minor, and some major. Yet, the strongest power we have in this world is choice itself. To see the beauty of having family rather than the fact that they can sometimes drive you crazy. To recognize the calmness of rain rather than the gloom it is associated with. To pay attention to all the little parts of life that we take for granted without thought.

• Waking up in a warm bed

• Walking downstairs to my parents sharing coffee on the couch

• Seeing my puppies run to greet me as I open my bedroom door

• Pouring myself a piping hot cup of joe that warms my soul

• The little pleasure of cuddling up in my favorite blanket

• Making coffee cakes for those who need some extra love

• Baking elaborate pies with my dad that always ends in a cloud of flour and utter chaos

• Turning on the Macy’s Day parade and debating the best float and worst singer

• Watching my family pour in one by one with smiles and arms full of my favorite foods

• Catching up with loved ones and sharing the true meaning of the holiday

Even if today isn’t something important to your family, take a little piece of the Ellison attitude with you. Be grateful for something new this year.

You have the power to make everyday special with the simple switch of your mindset.

Whether it is pride in the work you have put in yourself this year, joy in time shared with your loved ones, or the simple pleasure of rest, this day is meant to refill our hearts with gratitude. Don’t let the day go to waste.

I love you all, Happy Thanksgiving! Choose to have an “Attitude of Gratitude” today and everyday, just maybe a little extra on this one.

Xoxo, P