For my American brothers Thanksgiving means different things to different people. Also, the ways in which it is celebrated differ. The type of food you eat on that day differs. Who you would spend it with also differs, as well as the traditions you engage in. What doesn’t change is that you all would feel thankful for something. Even if you don’t do anything else you can always still be thankful.
I am not an American. Still, I can resonate with the meaning of this US holiday. It doesn’t truly hit close to home. No pun intended. The concept of being ‘thankful’ can be applied to different areas. If you find yourself as the scapegoat within a narcissist family, focus on yourself. Be thankful for who you are. On the surface, this may appear to be selfish and contradictory. For most of us, this is a vital practice. This is especially important during this time of year.
I am thankful for quite a lot, even if all hasn’t gone to plan yet. For one, I am really grateful for being healthy and active. I am also thankful for the great and positive experiences I have had throughout life. I look forward to more of these happening in the future. I also am thankful for positive interactions and relationships which has lead to building a bond and trust with others. I am extremely grateful for my future.
For now, I am being modest in what I am grateful for. Honestly, I could elaborate endlessly. I can probably do a blog post about what I am grateful for about myself. It would definitely come across as pig-headed, but so what. For being grateful, this could be anything. It could be about being a good father or a good friend. It might involve being physically strong or building a great life for yourself. Those are just examples, but I am sure you can come up with a lot to be grateful about yourself.
Son in the Shadows: "Navigating Life as the Black Sheep of Narcissistic Parents" 