“What are you grateful for?”

A common and occasionally brain-freezing phrase . . . Thanksgiving, with its promise of soporific food choices and comfortable old traditions can lull us into a false sense of security, till the grand supper table forum leads us to frantic, existential grasping for something simple but profound with which to express our feelings. If this common holiday question leaves you feeling dissatisfied with the honest yet vague response, or feeling subtly jealous of a relative’s deep, exciting answer, we’ve compiled a quick guide to get you thinking about what really sparks gratitude for you and why.  

Communicating Major Life Events

This is perhaps the easiest way to brainstorm gratitude. Gatherings are a convenient venue for sharing news with rarely seen friends and family; even if they’ve heard about a big life event over social media or secondhand, there’s no replacement for the genuine excitement of hearing news from someone in person. If you’re feeling lucky to have a new job with great benefits and compelling work, share that happiness! Graduation, engagement, new place, baby, clean bill of health—if it was a standout year of your life, Thanksgiving is a great time to celebrate your happiness with others.

Insight Into Significant Moments

While we don’t all have something major happening every year, we do all live moments that change and shape us. If something happened in the last year that caused you to ask deeper questions and live more fully, share it! Perhaps you met a great friend, gained new perspective while traveling, or learned more about your heritage. If you find yourself still thinking about the last book or movie you watched, mention your gratitude for that creative work, and importantly, why it impacted you. Is there a hobby you’re passionate about? We’re all works in progress, so if this year in any way refined your sense of purpose and being, share gratitude for that renewal. 

Ordinary Joys

The little things of life, so often counted on but little appreciated, make a fun and truthful contribution to the circle of gratitude. If there’s a regular part of the day you look forward to the most, there’s probably a tangible reason why connected with it. It could be the invigorating jolt of morning coffee, the convenience of local libraries, or late-night stargazing. Maybe it’s reruns of “The Office” or your favorite exercise playlist. Thanksgiving isn’t too big for the little things; with its plentiful supply of food, parades, and sports, it’s an excellent time to remember with gratitude the ordinary experiences of our five senses. 

Lastly, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with something simple and general—family, the present moment, life itself—these are all completely valid. No matter what the topic, pick something that makes you genuinely joyful, give a thought or two to why, and you’re good to go! 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!