Three Radical Ideas to Make Thanksgiving More Meaningful

Yes, it's that time of year.  For a brief respite before the Christmas rush, we pause, take a day or two off work, stuff ourselves and watch parades and football.

And it's a great time to take a few minutes and count our blessings: Family, friends, job, house, etc.

But let me suggest to you a few things to make this Thanksgiving more memorable.

1.  Invite someone who might otherwise be alone this Thanksgiving.  If you're like us, there's more than enough food, and it will make someone's holiday.  You might work with or go to church with someone who is away from family, lost a loved one recently or for any other reason might be alone.  They probably won't seek you out - but they might be wondering if anyone cares.  Make them part of your family tradition.

2.  Call someone with whom you have had a split or misunderstanding.  Maybe this is a family member that you have struggled with, a neighbor whose tree grew over the fence.  Call just to say you are grateful for what our relationship means, and that you want to take steps to make amends.  Make the first move to mending a broken relationship.

3.  Give someone in your family the gift of tradition.  In other words, find a younger person - maybe your own child, a niece or nephew - and impress on them the value of pausing and being thankful.  Draw a picture, make a list or shoot a video talking about what you all are grateful for.

I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving this year.  Let me know what comes of these challenges in your Thanksgiving this year.