Holding On To Holiday Traditions In Retirement
Thanksgiving is our oldest American holiday. It began as a celebration of the first successful harvest by the Pilgrims in 1621. In spite of its almost 400-year history, the importance of Thanksgiving is increasingly losing its relevance for many Americans. This is a result of several separate and independent factors that started about 20 years ago.
The first factor has been the increased popularity of Halloween, which used to be just a kid’s holiday. Since the 1990s, Halloween has become a multibillion-dollar party holiday for younger adults as well. It hasn’t helped that Thanksgiving is halfway between this new popular holiday and Christmas.
The second major factor was the merchant invention of “Black Friday” as the official kickoff of the Christmas shopping season. Not content to leave Thanksgiving as a special holiday just for family, merchants recently began the shopping season on Thanksgiving afternoon before the turkey has even cooled down and in some cases before many have even finished eating. Where will it all end? By mid-November, the malls are decorated for the holidays and they are playing Christmas music over the loudspeakers. It seems as though rushing Christmas has diminished the importance of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Tradition
For much of the 19th and 20th century, Thanksgiving was exclusively used to reflect on the many gifts life has given to each of us. Giving thanks for a roof over our head, ample food to eat, family, friends, good health, a job, and living in a free nation are just a few of the things we were thankful for.
Most readers of my lifestyle retirement newsletter are people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Our generation has fond memories of the way Thanksgiving used to be. Before the original meaning of Thanksgiving is lost forever, I would like you to take a few minutes to reflect on your own successful life.
Begin by getting back to the true tradition of Thanksgiving and appreciate what you have and who you are. Think about who has contributed positively to your life, personally and professionally. The poet John Donne wrote a poem years ago whose title you have heard many times over the years. He wrote “No Man Is an Island.” He was conveying the thought that every one of us is a product of all the special interactions we’ve had over the years. Even our greatest heroes like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson were not completely self-made men. Each was influenced by a strong parent, a dedicated teacher, a caring neighbor or friend, etc. While we think we know our heroes, the people who helped make them who they were have been lost to history. Don’t let the important people who influenced you escape your attention.
Who Influenced You?
Think about who has contributed to making you the person you are today. As you prepare to move from your traditional career to your retirement vocation, this knowledge of who they were and how they helped you could inspire you to do great things, too. Was it a coach when you were young? Was it a mentor during your career or a minister in your community? Did you look up to and admire a role model? Who are the people who encouraged you, supported you, had your back, and went to bat for you? You could have been inspired by someone you’ve never met but still consider them a role model. Your role model might not even realize they provided a guiding light to you. To be effective, this person doesn’t have to be in your life for a long time. Their influence could have been the result of a short-term relationship or a one-time encounter where someone said or did something that dramatically changed your life forever. Think back to any special encounters you might have had in your life. Who were they and how can you appreciate them even if it was decades ago? It’s not too late to let them know how they influenced you even if they were unaware of it.
When I was a freshman in college, I took a year-long psychology course. It was taught by Professor Poole, who was great at inspiring and motivating his students. He made our class so interesting with studies about human behavior and research. I remember looking forward to class and enjoying what I was learning. This influential professor drew me to psychology, counseling, and teaching. He inspired my educational and professional journey. I wish I had kept in touch with him because I would have been able to tell him how much he has influenced my life.
Paying It Forward
It’s a common behavior to reflect back as we age. It provides perspective as to how we will move forward in this next important life stage. As baby boomers, reflecting back on those important people in our lives will raise our awareness about how we can give back in the same way to others. We can influence others by being a mentor, a role model, or an inspiration. Younger generations are looking to us to provide models as we give back what we have been given.
As you reflect back on those who have given you inspiration in your life, think about how you can provide that inspiration to others. After all, isn’t that what life and Thanksgiving are all about? This might be one of the ways that our generation can hold on to the traditional meaning of Thanksgiving — giving thanks for all we have and who we are and then passing it along to the next generation.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving as you give thanks and make the very best of the rest of your life.
Dee
Dee Cascio
Author, speaker, Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Life Coach, Retirement Lifestyle/ReCareer Coach, and Life and Work Transitions Strategies Coach.
The Life and Work Transitions Community
You’ve joined a great group — people who plan to make successful transitions in life and work. May you be inspired to use your strengths and skills to grow in this season and may each transition be your best ever.
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