INTERNAL MUSINGS
Two weeks ago, Thursday was Thanksgiving, and in recent years, there has been more awareness and education presented challenging several holidays celebrating colonialist ideals. This awareness invited me to explore what it was about this holiday that I loved so much and wanted to keep celebrating.
Growing up, gatherings with family were always large, full of laughter, joyful banter, and the presence of love. Somewhere along the way, gatherings and holidays became synonymous for me. Holidays became a time for loved ones to come together, sometimes after not being together for a long time, and catch up on all the things and fun missed while apart. When connecting with folks who suddenly STOPPED celebrating certain holidays, I first took it personally. Holidays are ways to connect with loved ones, increase oxytocin, and deepen intimacy. My reaction stemmed from the belief that these individuals did not want to connect with me; they did not want to deepen their intimacy with me.
Once I took time to reflect, I landed on something a friend shared with me during a heart-to-heart: “You have to love people the way they allow you to love them.” This meant I needed to go in and bring a few shadows to light. Freedom is a value; once explored, I decided to continue celebrating Thanksgiving and other holidays. I committed to educating myself and others on how the stories associated with them perpetuated colonial and patriarchal beliefs and worked to transform them in me and those around me. The realization that I have the power to rewrite my story inspired the idea that I could redefine words, holidays, perspectives, and interactions to fit the loving image I’m always seeking.
Holidays, for me, are still about connecting with loved ones, increasing oxytocin, and deepening intimacy. As such, on “Thanksgiving,” I harness the spirit of gratitude and am thankful for the ever-present love in my life because I know it is not a result of most of the choices I make but more of a representation of the frequency I have been taught to harness.
What are you thankful for?
