Nov 1 13-0056

This is a repost. I hope one day I can stop reposting it…

 

Halloween is behind us. According to the calendar, the next holiday here in the states is Veteran's Day, followed by Thanksgiving, but have you noticed there are already Christmas commercials on the TV and jingle bells are taking over the stores?

For the fourth year in a row, I'm joining blogger "Suldog" Jim Sullivan in his outspoken stance on giving Thanksgiving its due time before we're all wrapped up in red and green and tied with a fancy bow. 

 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven…

~Eccleciastes 3:1


I wrote this last year, and the year before, but it's still just as true:  This whole campaign isn't just about Thanksgiving. It's about time and seasons and silence and space and simplifying.

It's about focusing on one thing at a time and giving it all you've got, everything it deserves. It's about truly experiencing a season, thinking about what it means and being in the moment, not rushing ahead. 

If you feel you don't have enough time to prepare for Christmas if you wait until after Thanksgiving, perhaps you're making it too complicated. Trying to do too much. Focusing on the wrapping on the box instead of what's inside.

Time goes by too fast as it is and life has gotten more and more complicated. 

 

I’ve learned that we can do anything, but we can’t do everything… at least not at the same time. Timing is everything.

~Dan Millman 

 

Timing is everything. Let's take time to relish and focus. Let's slow down and simplify. Let's take things one at a time. 

But, as one friend said, "The only way you will EVER change this is to hit them in the pocketbook." So please join your voice and your pocketbook with me to remind the retailers that…

 

TCF chase

Please hop over and read Suldog's post HERE and another beautiful essay about Thanksgiving written last year HERE. And if you're on Facebook, like the page HERE and then share it with your friends!

Okay, what the heck. While you're at it, click on the little "Share This" button at the bottom of my post to share it on Google+ or Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest or wherever you like to share.

Help spread the word so our voices get LOUD. 


Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life… a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year – and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God. 

~Ray Stannard Baker (David Grayson)


Posted in , , , , , , ,

16 responses to “Thanksgiving Comes First”

  1. Suldog Avatar

    Thank you, Barbara! xxxooo!

    Like

  2. Ms. A Avatar

    While I agree with you, as long as Christmas is the moneymaker for retailers, I don’t see them giving a second thought to Thanksgiving.

    Like

  3. Walker Thornton Avatar

    Oh yes, I agree. And, the thing is that these early ads only serve to turn me off, and against the very advertisers. So, it’s not working for me.

    Like

  4. Georgy Avatar
    Georgy

    Thank you for introducing me to Suldog . . .

    Like

  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You are very welcome!!!
     

    Like

  6. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    Really wonderful wisdom, Barbara….I needed to read this.
    Maybe we just try to do toooooo much.
    I’m a big fan of Thanksgiving
    and appreciate the encouragement to just let it be
    and take it slow
    and enjoy each sip as it comes.
    No gulping:)
    Thanks, friend,
    Jennifer

    Like

  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I admit it's hard for me to sit back and wait sometimes, but it's been well worth the effort not to get swept away in the mad rush toward Christmas!
     

    Like

  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Me, either! I've started a list of the ones I need to boycott!
     

    Like

  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Sad but true. I'm afraid I'm a hopeless dreamer, but I'll keep dreaming!
     

    Like

  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Sad but true. I'm afraid I'm a hopeless dreamer, but I'll keep dreaming!
     

    Like

  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Sad but true. I'm afraid I'm a hopeless dreamer, but I'll keep dreaming!
     

    Like

  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Of course!!! Thank you!!
     

    Like

  13. JoeH Avatar

    You have hit on the essence of the campaign…well done!

    Like

  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you! I hope it helps!
     

    Like

  15. Jim Sullivan Avatar

    We actually seem to be gaining a little bit of traction. Stores are advertising that they are NOT open on Thanksgiving, letting folks who care know where to bring their precious dollars – to the folks who let employees have an actual holiday. Thanks, again.

    Like

  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I agree! I see a definite increase in big stores who remain closed on Thanksgiving. I wish they would stop putting up Christmas decorations as soon as Halloween is over, but at least we're gaining ground! Thank you, Jim! And sorry I didn't get around to a new post this year!
     

    Like

Leave a reply to Barbara Shallue Cancel reply