This year is going to be the first year my family and I celebrate #Thanksgiving without my dad.  As many of you know, my dad lost his battle with Alzheimer’s in July. Even though he has been “gone” for a few years now with that disease, every single year as far back as I can remember my seat at the table was the chair to his right. All the adult children would sit at the “big” table and all of the kids right next to us at the “kids” table.  During the meal, dad was in his element.  Most years, present at this day of thanksgiving was my mom, the six of us children, our spouses and 16 grandchildren/great-grandchildren.  Every Thanksgiving my dad would load up his plate, pour a glass or sweet tea, tell funny stories or jokes (that he would laugh hardest at) and always make each of the grand kids in particular feel extra special with a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

Over the years he lead the family by encouraging us in certain holiday traditions.  Every year that I can remember, this included meeting at our family farm, sitting around the same table with the precisely set out china, holding hands and saying grace (every time my dad stating before the prayer  “Keep it short, Mort – the Knicks play at 6” with the relevant joke to follow), every family member stating what they were most thankful for in the past year, and every pie being homemade (with cherry being his favorite).  After the meal we were always watching football, scanning the paper for #BlackFriday specials, playing never ending games of Spades, and, if weather permitted, participating in a very competitive game of football outside.  Great memories!

Well-Being, Gratitude and Rituals
So what does all of this have to do with leadership?  More and more we are working with leaders on their own and/or team’s well-being.  Well-being is the state of being happy, healthy and positive. Research indicates that rituals and gratitude have a strong correlation with being a healthy, balanced individual.   In fact, gratitude may be one of the most overlooked tools that we all have access to every day. Cultivating gratitude doesn’t cost any money and it certainly doesn’t take much time, but the benefits are enormous. Research reveals that grateful people experience fewer aches and pains, have reduced depression, and report feeling more joyful than other people  Additionally, gratitude increases self-esteem especially when an individual is able to appreciate other people’s accomplishments.  Not to mention the positive impact thankfulness has on those around you!

Rituals are also incredibly important.  Rituals afford us a sense of belonging, sync us with nature and the seasons and provide us with a sense of renewal.  Rituals provide an ongoing way to structure our lives and creates a sense of stability and continuity amidst the ever-changing, hectic and often chaotic world in which we live. Traditions give us a way to connect to family, past and present and tie us to our ancestors and to our heritage.

In looking at all of the positive benefits of gratitude and rituals, it’s a great time of the year to put that knowledge into action!  I am always of the belief that incorporating fresh ideas into your personal or professional life can help you get a different perspective and make things more meaningful.  So, with that, I am giving you a recipe to do just that!  Below are 8 different ways to put a twist on your holiday.  My family has done #2, 4, 7 and 8 in past years and they worked beautifully! There are also a few I haven’t incorporated so I’ll be trying them right along with you.  Personally, I’m thinking number #5 and 6 would be perfect for my family Turkey Day this year.  Enjoy!

8 New Gratitude Activities for the Whole Family

Here is my Holiday Challenge:  Incorporate one of these items during your Thanksgiving celebration.  Hopefully, it will deepen already strong connections and give you an even greater sense of well-being so that when you head back to work on Monday morning you feel renewed, appreciated and content!