After a very hot summer, we are finally starting to feel a chill in the air and see the leaves start to change color. Although the coming holiday season is often associated with merriment and abundance, this time of year can also be a time of anxiety and stress.
Fortunately, there is a fairly common cure to many of these pressures–the practice of gratitude.
“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
Gratitude and Service are Keys to Happiness
For us at PFD Group, gratitude isn’t just a seasonal theme. It is something we emphasize all year long. This is founded upon our own gratitude for being able to passionately do what we love–provide value for high-growth companies.
By helping companies build their own flight plans, we set them on a course that leads them to create more jobs, serve their employees and even build better communities. The more value we create for our clients, the more they can realize growth and economic sustainability.
Related Content: An Attitude of Gratitude: Finding Meaning and Empowerment During Times of Difficulty
We Are Called to Serve Others
Ultimately, our gratitude stems from our ability to serve others. Because service is at the foundation of all our relationships. It is how we show love for our neighbors and our communities.
Service is a key principle in most faith-based texts and beyond that, it has been proven to be a key factor in living a healthy life.
“Voluntary giving is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to improve your mood; making it part of your lifestyle can have long-term effects on your life satisfaction.”
Thanksgiving Around the World
Celebrating gratitude is not just an American Ideal. Although Americans may have the most famously known annual Thanksgiving holiday, we aren’t the only country to give thanks in annual celebrations.
Canada: Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October. Although it is similar to American Thanksgiving, historians say Canada’s Thanksgiving celebration actually predates the U.S. celebration.
Mexico: Although Mexico does not have a formal Thanksgiving day, it does celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in late October. Loosely, this is a celebration of the ancestors that have come before, including leaving grateful ofrendas (offerings) that honor dearly departed relatives.
Europe: In Europe, the melting pot of cultures has led to a variety of celebrations that give thanks, many of them tied to the harvest season. Most famously, Germanic-speaking countries celebrate Erntedankfest, although each country and region recognize the holiday on different days with different customs.
Asia: Asian countries also celebrate giving thanks. Both Korea’s Chuseok and China’s Mid-Autumn festivals celebrate the harvest, while Japan’s Kinro Kansha no Hi’, similar to American Labor Day, gives thanks to Japanese workers for all their annual contributions.
Africa: In Africa, American-founded Liberia is the only nation to hold a formal Thanksgiving celebration. But other nations, including Ghana, hold the annual Homowo (Yam Festival) which celebrates the harvest and also honors departed family members.