Giving Thanks in 2021
The art and practice of gratitude.
Thanksgiving is a great time to give thanks, right? It’s all right there in the name of this autumn holiday. Lots of folks use the month of November to keep a gratitude journal. There are so many good reasons to keep track of what we are grateful for.
According to leading gratitude researcher Robert Emmons, there are two components to gratitude. First, gratitude is “an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.” And secondly, when we practice gratitude, “we recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves . . . We acknowledge that other people–or even higher powers, if you’re of the spiritual mindset–gave us many gifts, big and small to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”
If you’re interested in reading further about the benefits of gratitude, check out Emmons’ essay, “Why Gratitude is Good.” The essay is a great primer on the power of gratitude to benefit us physically, psychologically, and socially. Emmons explains that people who practice gratitude report having stronger immune systems, being less bothered by regular aches and pains, experiencing higher levels of positive emotions as well as more joy and pleasure, and are more forgiving, outgoing, and less lonely and isolated.
What’s not to like about this list?
If practicing gratitude is so good for us, why don’t we do it regularly?
I could ask myself this same question. I don’t have a regular gratitude practice although a couple of times a year, I do a 30 day stint. For example, this year I am writing at least three things I’m grateful for every night. And I have to admit, it makes me more aware of all the good I experience day in and day out.
That’s why I decided it would be fun to ask the crew at AM Transport about Thanksgiving and what they’re grateful for.
Jakob Boulb
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
We wake up early and start cooking like everyone else, but the kicker is my aunt and I go and do the dishes after to catch a break from the family.
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving dish?
This year I plan on smoking a turkey. We are going to inject it with butter and soy sauce and put a nice rub on it.
What are you grateful for?
I am grateful for all the things going well in my life.
Rob McClain
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
My dad always vacuumed out the registers on Thanksgiving morning, and I have continued this tradition in his honor.
Laine Slover
Do you have a favorite tradition?
My immediate family gets together at my grandparents’ house for lunch, and then we go to one of my great aunts’ houses and have supper with our extended family.
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving memory?
My favorite memory is when I was still in the Army, I wasn’t able to come home because we were under a mileage restriction. I had a 4-day weekend, and some of my family living in Texas invited me to their house for the long weekend. On Thanksgiving day, my parents and grandparents drove down to Texas and surprised me.
What are you grateful for?
I am thankful for many things. I am thankful to be home. I am thankful for my family and my friends, and I am thankful for my job as well as my coworkers.
John McKinney
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Watching football.
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Pumpkin pie.
What are you grateful for?
I’m grateful for a healthy family and healthy friends.
David Abell
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
My wife and I have been doing a Turkey Trot 5K for as long as I can remember. We have also started traveling to a new place for Thanksgiving, so we have just been doing the 5Ks together.
Do you have a Thanksgiving memory you’d like to share?
Our first Thanksgiving after we purchased our home about 10 years ago, we invited all of our family over. We woke up at 3AM to cook the turkey. Neither one of us knew how to do it, but I watched a youtube video and figured it out.
What are you grateful for?
All the usual stuff, but more importantly, I’m going to try to enjoy the time. It’s easy to lose track that time is definitely our most valuable commodity.
Carson Scherer
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Watching football and Nascar.
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Taters
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
My daughter.
Zac Egleston
Do you have a Thanksgiving memory you’d like to share?
One year my mom cut her hand while cleaning the knife used to cut the turkey. . . not while actually cutting the turkey. It was an interesting and pretty funny trip to the hospital to get her stitched up.
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
I’m grateful for family.
Sam Rodgers
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
My favorite dish is Kacie’s grandmother’s meatballs. I could (and have tried) eating the whole platter of those things!
Colby Shawver
Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
I don’t really have a tradition. I just like to cook and eat all day. I might squeeze in a nap as well.
Favorite Thanksgiving dish?
I love sweet potatoes. If they are just baked or in a casserole I will eat them.
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?
When my grandparents were alive, we would go up to Casey, IL, and shoot clay pigeons.
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
I’m grateful for my Faith, Family, and Friends
Rhonda Hazel
Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
My family getting together and enjoying the laughter.
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving dish?
No, I enjoy all the food!
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?
Always going to my grandma’s house on Thanksgiving.
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
My new position at AMT and the great team members! I am always grateful for family, friends, and that everyone is healthy.
Erik Jensen
Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
My favorite tradition is watching the Cowboys football game. They play every year on Thanksgiving, and if there’s one thing I’m doing for sure, it’s watching the game.
Favorite Thanksgiving dish?
I’m a sucker for my grandma’s mashed potatoes.
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?
Nothing of note stands out because I’m always busy watching the Cowboys.
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
My beautiful wife and two daughters.
Bridgett Jensen
Favorite Thanksgiving dish?
My mom and dad’s Thanksgiving dressing. It’s delightfully savory with lots of crispy edges. It’s the perfect storm of carbohydrates alongside mashed potatoes.
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
I’ve been keeping a list of what I’m grateful for. Here are a few: grandchildren and great kids, a funny husband, healthy parents who still make Thanksgiving dinner, three siblings and their families and lots of friends. I’m also grateful for books, long walks, and the turning and falling leaves of autumn.