Most of us in the United States celebrated Thanksgiving at the end of November, an annual ritual that rivals and perhaps even surpasses, the enthusiasm surrounding Christmas. Unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving is marked across nearly all religious and ethnic groups, as its focus on family gatherings and shared meals speaks to everyday human connection rather than once-a-year religious observance.
The history of Thanksgiving, however, is layered with inaccuracies and idealised narratives about Native Americans and Colonial settlers coming together in harmony. These stories sit uncomfortably beside the long record of discrimination, racism, and ethnic cleansing endured by Native Americans. It is also worth noting that Thanksgiving was not formally established as a national holiday until 1863, during the Civil War, when President Lincoln issued his proclamation 200 years after the 1621 harvest feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the event often cited as the “first Thanksgiving.”
At its core, though, Thanksgiving is about expressing thanks; to our families, to our neighbours and communities, and to Providence; for the food and everyday necessities we often overlook. This spirit of thankfulness is especially needed today, when families are strained by ideological and religious divides, when consumerism and self-interest overshadow collective well-being, and when declining faith and waning concern for our shared humanity erode our generosity toward others.
Gratitude and thankfulness are two sides of the same coin, reflecting a sense of contentment that shapes both our inner disposition and our outward behaviour. Cultivating them requires us to reflect on what we have, rather than dwell on what we lack, and to acknowledge the contributions others make to our lives. Tagore, the Nobel Laureate from Bengal, observed that one of life’s great tragedies is sacrificing what we already possess for what we do not. Much of our religious devotion, too, is often centred on seeking added blessings, mirroring the same impulse toward gain and fear. It is therefore striking to recall the Prophet Muhammad’s response when asked why he devoted so much time to worship even while working tirelessly for truth and justice. He replied simply, “Shall I not be grateful?”—emphasising not the pursuit of more, but the practice of gratitude itself.
Here at MyLLife, we have much to be grateful for. We are thankful for the generosity of our donors, whose support makes our work possible. We are grateful to the college students who choose our challenging and impactful summer internships to broaden how we understand the world. We appreciate the young researchers who ask bold questions, pursue meaningful solutions, and inspire those around them. And we are deeply grateful to our volunteers, who give their time without expectation of reward and embrace the opportunity to serve.
The challenges we face—both at home and across the world—are profound. Grounding ourselves in gratitude and thankfulness is an essential step toward becoming better human beings as we strive to serve as God’s agents on this earth.
