Cultivating Gratitude Through Ritual
As the days grow shorter and the air gets crisp, we naturally turn inward to reflect on the year's gifts. Thanksgiving has traditionally been a time to express gratitude, not just as a polite nod to blessings but as a practice that roots us deeply in awareness and appreciation. With today’s holiday and the ones approaching, we are presented with a beautiful opportunity to go beyond mere words of thanks and cultivate rituals that allow us to connect more intentionally to the season’s essence.
The modern Thanksgiving holiday often conjures images of family gatherings, feasts, and moments of shared gratitude around the dinner table. While these are precious traditions, Thanksgiving’s history is complex, carrying the weight of colonial narratives and the overlooked perspectives of Indigenous peoples. For Native American communities, this season represents a time of harvest and preparation for winter—a period to honor the gifts of the land with respect, humility, and reverence.
For many Indigenous tribes, gratitude is woven into daily life, reflecting a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all beings. Traditionally, communities would offer thanks not only for the harvest but also for the gifts of the earth, the wisdom of ancestors, and the spiritual connection between humans and nature. Practicing gratitude wasn’t limited to a single day or event; it was a living, breathing part of their existence, fostering a relationship of reciprocity with the natural world.
As we embrace Thanksgiving, we might honor Indigenous wisdom by integrating a practice of gratitude beyond a single holiday. This practice encourages us to slow down, reflect, and give back to the world around us. This practice may be done through incorporating rituals into your daily life.
Rituals are meaningful practices that allow us to celebrate, honor, and connect to our intentions. A gratitude ritual can become an anchor in our lives, reminding us to acknowledge and cherish the gifts we often take for granted. When we create rituals around gratitude, we begin to cultivate a more mindful relationship with ourselves and our environment. This practice can lift us out of habitual thinking patterns, helping us appreciate small moments and inviting us to live with a greater sense of awareness.
Scientific studies support the benefits of gratitude practices, showing links to increased happiness, better health, and stronger relationships. Gratitude practices help us shift from a mindset of scarcity or lack to one of abundance, which helps us to feel more connected, fulfilled, and present.
One beautiful way to make gratitude a daily ritual is by creating a “Gratitude Jar.” Place a jar in a prominent location with slips of paper or a small notebook nearby. Each day, take a moment to write down something you are thankful for, fold it, and place it in the jar. Encourage everyone in your household to participate, and watch the jar fill up over time. At the end of each month, season, or year, gather together to read the notes aloud and reflect on all the moments that brought joy, meaning, or even lessons.
If the season allows, embark on a nature walk, taking a moment to express gratitude for the elements around you—the warmth of the sun, the stability of the earth beneath your feet, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. With each step, reflect on something in your life that you’re grateful for, aligning your breath with the rhythm of your steps. Consider collecting a few natural items, such as stones, acorns, or leaves, to create a small altar at home to honor the season.
On Thanksgiving or another designated day, prepare a meal with intention and care. As you cook, consider the journey each ingredient has taken to reach your plate—the farmers who grew it, the earth that nurtured it, the people who transported it. Before you eat, express your gratitude out loud for each person, place, or event that contributed to your meal. Invite family or friends to share something they are grateful for as well. This can transform a meal into a sacred act, connecting you more deeply to the food and one another.
Lastly, maybe begin or end your day by setting aside five to ten minutes for a simple gratitude meditation. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. With each inhale, bring to mind something you are thankful for, allowing the feeling to expand with each breath. With each exhale, imagine sharing that sense of gratitude with the world around you. This practice can create a peaceful and grounded energy to start or close the day.
As we engage in these rituals, let’s continue to hold space for reflection on the origins of Thanksgiving and acknowledge the wisdom of Indigenous cultures. Many Native Americans celebrate the “National Day of Mourning” on Thanksgiving to honor their ancestors and recognize the historical and ongoing challenges Indigenous communities face. We can honor their contributions by learning more about Indigenous histories, supporting Indigenous businesses and organizations, and incorporating the values of respect and reciprocity in our gratitude practices.
Indigenous gratitude is about more than just individual blessings; it’s about fostering a balance between giving and receiving, about recognizing our responsibilities to the earth and each other. By bringing this perspective into our rituals, we can deepen our connection to the world around us, fostering a more collective and compassionate form of gratitude.
As Thanksgiving approaches, consider adopting one or more of these practices that speak to you and align with your values. Whether through quiet meditation, communal gatherings, or daily reflections, we have the opportunity to live each day with a grateful heart—extending a spirit of thankfulness that doesn’t end with a holiday but continues to enrich our lives all year round.
