December 30, 2024 • 14 mins
50 Thanksgiving Journal Prompts
Can you imagine transforming your Thanksgiving from merely a holiday of feasting and festivity into a profound journey of gratitude, reflection, and community connection? Join us for a fascinating exploration, as we spotlight 50 journal prompts from Listallion that promise to elevate your Thanksgiving experience. By focusing on themes like gratitude, relationships, and traditions, we'll guide you in uncovering the deeper significance of what you're thankful for, savoring the simple pleasures of life, and embracing cherished family traditions that bind us to our roots. Expect to discover the art of reflection and how it serves as a powerful tool for personal growth and connection.
But the Thanksgiving journey doesn't stop at introspection. We shift gears to focus on giving back and envisioning future growth. Learn how you can make a meaningful difference in your community with acts of kindness, like donating to food banks or simply being there for someone in need. We share inspiring prompts to fuel your personal growth, encouraging you to write a letter to your future self or create a time capsule filled with gratitude. Through these reflections and actions, see how uplifting others can simultaneously uplift yourself, setting a positive trajectory for the year ahead. Rediscover Thanksgiving not just as a time of gratitude, but as an opportunity for transformation and connection.
LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome in everybody to a deep dive into something a
little different forThanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
A little less traditional.
Exactly yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
We're not going to be talking about, you know,
football, or recipes or anythinglike that.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Right.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
We're going to be looking at 50 Thanksgiving
journal prompts from a companycalled Listallion.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Who.
They sell journals, but theyalso have this blog post and you
know journal prompts can bereally interesting, absolutely,
it's a way to sort of reflect.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
And think a little more deeply about things.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
And I think for a holiday like Thanksgiving it's
really appropriate to kind ofdig in a little bit more.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I mean so for those of you who don't know.
You know journal promptsps.
They're not just like deardiary entries, it's questions
that you can use to explore.
You know, your thoughts andyour feelings.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Kind of like a conversation starter with
yourself.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Exactly so.
The Stallion has actuallygrouped these prompts into
different themes.
The first one is reflecting ongratitude, which I think is a
natural starting point.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Seems appropriate for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Exactly, and so the first prompt is what are three
things you are most thankful forright now, and why?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I like that.
Why it's important.
It makes you go deeper thanjust a list.
It's like, okay, what's themeaning behind this thing?
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Why does this have an impact?
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Exactly, and sometimes I think when I
actually think about why I'mgrateful for something, I
actually uncover some thingsthat I didn't even realize.
Yeah, we're kind of there.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
You find new connections, new layers, exactly
yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
There's another one here that I think is really
interesting.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Think about a simple pleasure that brings you joy.
Why does it matter?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I like that one.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
I mean, we're always told to like savor the small
things but, sometimes you got tobe reminded to do it.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
And so it's good to kind of just.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Yeah, what are those things that you can savor?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
You know that first cup of coffee in the morning, or
you know a hug from a loved one.
Yeah, I mean there's so manythings that you know if you
don't actually stop andappreciate them.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
You just miss them.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
They pass you by and there's actual psychology behind
savoring yes, like it canincrease your mood, it can
reduce stress.
Absolutely it can increasehappiness.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Yeah, it's like that whole gratitude thing right.
There's a lot of research thatshows that gratitude can
actually improve well-being.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh, absolutely, there's tons of studies that
show gratitude can actuallyimprove physical health.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
You know, strengthen relationships make you more
resilient in the face ofchallenges.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
So it's really powerful stuff, absolutely yeah.
So another one that kind ofties into this face of
challenges.
So it's really powerful stuff,absolutely yeah.
So another one that kind ofties into this theme of
gratitude is what is one thingyou often take for granted.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
How can you cultivate more gratitude for it?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
It's easy to focus on what we're lacking.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Yes, what we?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
don't have what's wrong.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
But this is good because it kind of flips the
script.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
It does.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It makes you think about allthe things that you actually do
have to be grateful for.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
And sometimes it's not even material things.
Right it could be like you havea roof over your head.
You have people who love you.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
You know, just being alive.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Yeah, or the sunrise.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Yeah, something like that.
Exactly, it's all aboutperspective, it is.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
So, moving on from individual reflection, Okay.
The next theme is celebratingrelationships.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Which I think is really at the heart of
Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I mean, it's not just about the food right, Exactly
About the people.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Yeah, it's about connection.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yeah, it's about coming together and appreciating
the people that you love.
Psychologically holidays, likeThanksgiving, they're like
rituals that reinforce our senseof belonging and community.
(03:56):
So it's like a time and placeto just strengthen those social
ties.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
It's interesting because I never really thought
about it from that perspectivebefore, but I can totally see
that.
So there's a couple of promptshere that I think are really
interesting in this theme.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
One is what is one thing you admire about each
member of your family?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
That's a good one.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Yeah, and it can be hard sometimes.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
With some family members, right, but I think it's
a good way to kind of it's goodpractice.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
To see the good in people.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Even if sometimes they're difficult.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
And that's applicable to any relationship, not just
family.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Exactly.
Another one that I thought wasreally interesting is who makes
you feel most understood.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
And how has that impacted your life?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
I mean being seen, yeah, being understood, yeah.
Those are the most impactful.
They are Relationships.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, and it makes me think, you know, we should not
only try to nurture thoserelationships, but also be that
person.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
For somebody else.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
And to be that person who makes someone else feel
seen and understood.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Okay, so moving on to the next theme, which is
reflecting on traditions okay sothis is where we start to kind
of bridge the personal and thecultural and how you know, those
inherited rituals right uh,that we have, yeah, shape our
experience of thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, what's the significance of those traditions
?
How do they connect us to ourpast and can we evolve them?
Yes, you know going forward.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
There's one here.
What Thanksgiving traditionshave been passed down in your
family, and how do they make youfeel connected to your roots?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Oh yeah, I love that one.
It makes me think about mygrandmother's pecan pie recipe,
which has been passed down forgenerations.
Wow, pecan pie recipe which hasbeen passed down for
generations.
Wow, and I feel like every timeI make it, I'm tasting a piece
of my heritage.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
That's really cool how food and tradition can be so
intertwined.
They really are.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
And then there's kind of the flip side of that, which
is think about a newThanksgiving tradition.
Yeah, you'd like to start.
How could it bring more meaningto your holiday?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It's about being an active participant, yeah, in
your own traditions.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Not just inheriting them.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
But creating new ones Exactly.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Yeah, and I love that because you know it doesn't
have to be anything big Right.
It could be starting agratitude jar or volunteering as
a family or you know.
Just something small that addsa new layer of meaning.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
To your Thanksgiving celebration.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Speaking of giving back, that's actually the next
theme giving back and sharing.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Oh nice.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Which I thought was really interesting because, you
know, Thanksgiving is often seenas a day of receiving and
indulging.
Yeah, but this theme is aboutextending that thankfulness
outward.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
To our community and beyond.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
I like it.
It's Thanksgiving, but giveback.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Exactly so.
There's prompts like what's oneway you can give back to your
community this Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
It could be donating to a local food bank or
volunteering at a shelter, oreven just checking in on an
elderly neighbor.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Those little things can make a big difference.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Especially during the holidays.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah, and it doesn't even have to be, you know,
material things.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
There's another prompt that says think about
someone who could use a littleextra love.
How can you make their holidaybrighter?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yeah, sometimes just being there for someone.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Listening to them.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Showing up for them?
Yes.
That to them, yeah.
Showing up for them, yes,that's the best gift.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Absolutely yeah, and I think you know it's all about
recognizing that we're allinterconnected and that by
uplifting others, we ultimatelyuplift ourselves.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
It all comes back around, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
And that leads us to the final theme for this part of
our deep dive.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Which is looking toward the future.
Okay, final theme for this partof our deep dive Okay, which?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
is looking toward the future.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Okay, and I think this theme is really about
personal growth, usingThanksgiving as a springboard.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
For reflection and setting intentions for the year
ahead.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Love it.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah.
So there's prompts like whatare you most excited to carry
forward from this year into thenext?
Oh, you know.
So it's not just about dwellingon the past, right, but taking
what you've learned yeah and andusing that to move forward
moving on up exactly yeah.
And then one of my favorites inthis section is write a letter
to your future self, reflectingon all the things you're
(08:18):
grateful for right now oh,that's cool.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, like a little time capsule of gratitude like
what a gift to your future self.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Yeah, it'd be really interesting to read that.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Like a year from now.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
But we're going to come back to that theme of
looking towards the future alittle bit, but for now let's
take a break.
Welcome back, you know, aswe're going through these
Thanksgiving journal promptsfrom Lestallion.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
I'm.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
I'm really struck by how they they weave together
this personal reflection with asense of connection to something
bigger than ourselves.
Oh, that's interesting.
I hadn't really thought aboutit that way.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Yeah, like on one hand, they're encouraging us to
look inward.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
To examine, you know, our values, our relationships,
our aspirations.
But then they also nudge us toconsider our role, you know, in
the wider world like ourconnections to our community, to
humanity as a whole.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
That's true.
Yeah, it's like they'rereminding us that gratitude
isn't just about us.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Right.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
It's about recognizing, you know, our
interconnectedness witheverything and everyone and
expressing appreciation for thepeople and experiences that
enrich our lives.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Exactly, and it brings us back to that final
theme we touched on before thebreak looking toward the future.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
These prompts encourage us to not just dwell
on the past, but to carry thatspirit of gratitude and
intentionality forward.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
It's like Thanksgiving is a chance to take
stock.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Recalibrate and set a course for the year ahead.
Yeah, and one prompt thatreally stood out to me in that
section is write a letter toyour future self reflecting on
all the things you're gratefulfor right now.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Ooh, that one gives me chills.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
It's such a powerful exercise.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It is.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
It's like creating this moment with all its
complexities.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Imagine reading that letter a year from now.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Oh, I know Right, what a gift to your future self.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Yeah, it'd be amazing .
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, and it really highlights the fact that
gratitude isn't just a feeling,it's a practice.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
It is.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Something that we cultivate through these small,
deliberate actions throughoutthe year.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Yeah, and I think these prompts can really help
with that.
Absolutely.
They can serve as reminders toweave those practices into our
daily lives, to make gratitude ahabit, not just a once a year
thing.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
So how do you think we can incorporate these prompts
into our lives beyondThanksgiving?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Well, one simple but powerful practice is keeping a
gratitude journal.
Okay, doesn't have to beanything fancy.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Yeah, just take a few minutes each day to jot down
things you're grateful for.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I've tried that before.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Yeah, it's amazing how much it can shift your
perspective.
Oh yeah, you know, even whenthings are tough.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
For sure, for sure.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Like it forces you to focus on the positive.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And, I think, another way to use these prompts.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Is to turn them into conversation starters.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Oh, that's a good idea With them into conversation
starters.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Oh, that's a good idea.
With loved ones you know like.
Imagine gathering around theThanksgiving table and asking
each other.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
What is one thing you often take for granted?
How can you cultivate moregratitude for it?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
That would spark some great conversations.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Right, or what are you most excited to carry
forward from this year into thenext?
I love it Right.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, it's a way to connect on a deeper level.
Exactly, and share ourgratitude with each other.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Yeah, and it doesn't have to be limited to
Thanksgiving.
Right, we can revisit theseprompts throughout the year.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Keep the conversation going.
Exactly, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
I think what I'm realizing is that these prompts
are not just about Thanksgiving,right.
They're about cultivating amindset of gratitude that can
enrich our lives every day.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Yeah, got it.
Yeah, that's the key takeaway.
Yeah, it's about recognizingthat even amidst challenges,
there's always something to bethankful for, and by actively
cultivating that sense ofgratitude we experience greater
joy, resilience and connectionin our lives.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Absolutely so.
As we wrap up this deep diveinto Thanksgiving journal
prompts, I think the keytakeaway is that gratitude is a
practice.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
It's a verb.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
It is a verb Not a noun.
Yes, and these prompts providea framework for that practice.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
They do.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
You know, a starting point for a journey of
self-discovery and connection.
I love it that extends farbeyond the Thanksgiving holiday.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Well, thank you for joining us on this exploration.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, this was fun, it was yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
We hope these prompts have sparked some meaningful
reflections and maybe eveninspired you to incorporate a
bit more gratitude into yourdaily life.
Absolutely so we're back andyou know it's been really fun
kind of diving deep into theseThanksgiving journal prompts.
Yeah, as we're kind of wrappingthings up, is there anything
that like really stuck out toyou?
Speaker 2 (12:54):
You know, what really stuck with me is that these
prompts aren't just about, like,thinking about gratitude.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
It's about doing something about it.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
It's like taking action Right, whether it's
expressing appreciation tosomeone or savoring something or
finding a way to give back.
Like it pushes you beyond justthinking about it.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
It does.
Yeah, it's like gratitude is averb.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
It is a verb.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Not a noun.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Not a noun Right.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Like it's something you do, we do, it's not just
something you feel.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Absolutely Right.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And those actions can have a ripple effect.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
On ourselves and the people around us, for sure.
So for our listeners out therewho are, you know, getting ready
for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
What's like one key takeaway.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
One key takeaway.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
That you want them to remember from our deep dive.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Hmm, I would say, you know, thanksgiving, it offers
this chance to really stop andreflect and reconnect with what
matters.
And these journal prompts, theycan be a guide for that.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Yeah, and remember it doesn't have to be limited to
just this one day.
No, you know gratitude andgenerosity and reflection.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Those are things that we can, you know, carry with us
all year round.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I mean, imagine how much richer next Thanksgiving
could be if we all startedmaking these little efforts now.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah, that's a great thought.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Like small acts of kindness and appreciation, and
savoring the moment.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
All those things.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
All right.
Well, thank you everyone.
So much for joining us on thisdeep dive into Thanksgiving
journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
We hope you have a wonderful and very thoughtful
Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Welcome in everybody to a deep dive into something a
little different forThanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
A little less traditional.
Exactly yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
We're not going to be talking about, you know,
football, or recipes or anythinglike that.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Right.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
We're going to be looking at 50 Thanksgiving
journal prompts from a companycalled Listallion.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Who.
They sell journals, but theyalso have this blog post and you
know journal prompts can bereally interesting, absolutely,
it's a way to sort of reflect.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
And think a little more deeply about things.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
And I think for a holiday like Thanksgiving it's
really appropriate to kind ofdig in a little bit more.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I mean so for those of you who don't know.
You know journal promptsps.
They're not just like deardiary entries, it's questions
that you can use to explore.
You know, your thoughts andyour feelings.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Kind of like a conversation starter with
yourself.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Exactly so.
The Stallion has actuallygrouped these prompts into
different themes.
The first one is reflecting ongratitude, which I think is a
natural starting point.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Seems appropriate for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Exactly, and so the first prompt is what are three
things you are most thankful forright now, and why?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I like that.
Why it's important.
It makes you go deeper thanjust a list.
It's like, okay, what's themeaning behind this thing?
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Why does this have an impact?
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Exactly, and sometimes I think when I
actually think about why I'mgrateful for something, I
actually uncover some thingsthat I didn't even realize.
Yeah, we're kind of there.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
You find new connections, new layers, exactly
yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
There's another one here that I think is really
interesting.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Think about a simple pleasure that brings you joy.
Why does it matter?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I like that one.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
I mean, we're always told to like savor the small
things but, sometimes you got tobe reminded to do it.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
And so it's good to kind of just.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Yeah, what are those things that you can savor?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
You know that first cup of coffee in the morning, or
you know a hug from a loved one.
Yeah, I mean there's so manythings that you know if you
don't actually stop andappreciate them.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
You just miss them.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
They pass you by and there's actual psychology behind
savoring yes, like it canincrease your mood, it can
reduce stress.
Absolutely it can increasehappiness.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Yeah, it's like that whole gratitude thing right.
There's a lot of research thatshows that gratitude can
actually improve well-being.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh, absolutely, there's tons of studies that
show gratitude can actuallyimprove physical health.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
You know, strengthen relationships make you more
resilient in the face ofchallenges.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
So it's really powerful stuff, absolutely yeah.
So another one that kind ofties into this face of
challenges.
So it's really powerful stuff,absolutely yeah.
So another one that kind ofties into this theme of
gratitude is what is one thingyou often take for granted.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
How can you cultivate more gratitude for it?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
It's easy to focus on what we're lacking.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Yes, what we?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
don't have what's wrong.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
But this is good because it kind of flips the
script.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
It does.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It makes you think about allthe things that you actually do
have to be grateful for.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
And sometimes it's not even material things.
Right it could be like you havea roof over your head.
You have people who love you.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
You know, just being alive.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Yeah, or the sunrise.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Yeah, something like that.
Exactly, it's all aboutperspective, it is.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
So, moving on from individual reflection, Okay.
The next theme is celebratingrelationships.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Which I think is really at the heart of
Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I mean, it's not just about the food right, Exactly
About the people.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Yeah, it's about connection.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yeah, it's about coming together and appreciating
the people that you love.
Psychologically holidays, likeThanksgiving, they're like
rituals that reinforce our senseof belonging and community.
(03:56):
So it's like a time and placeto just strengthen those social
ties.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
It's interesting because I never really thought
about it from that perspectivebefore, but I can totally see
that.
So there's a couple of promptshere that I think are really
interesting in this theme.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
One is what is one thing you admire about each
member of your family?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
That's a good one.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Yeah, and it can be hard sometimes.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
With some family members, right, but I think it's
a good way to kind of it's goodpractice.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
To see the good in people.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Even if sometimes they're difficult.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
And that's applicable to any relationship, not just
family.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Exactly.
Another one that I thought wasreally interesting is who makes
you feel most understood.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
And how has that impacted your life?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
I mean being seen, yeah, being understood, yeah.
Those are the most impactful.
They are Relationships.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, and it makes me think, you know, we should not
only try to nurture thoserelationships, but also be that
person.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
For somebody else.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
And to be that person who makes someone else feel
seen and understood.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Okay, so moving on to the next theme, which is
reflecting on traditions okay sothis is where we start to kind
of bridge the personal and thecultural and how you know, those
inherited rituals right uh,that we have, yeah, shape our
experience of thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, what's the significance of those traditions
?
How do they connect us to ourpast and can we evolve them?
Yes, you know going forward.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
There's one here.
What Thanksgiving traditionshave been passed down in your
family, and how do they make youfeel connected to your roots?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Oh yeah, I love that one.
It makes me think about mygrandmother's pecan pie recipe,
which has been passed down forgenerations.
Wow, pecan pie recipe which hasbeen passed down for
generations.
Wow, and I feel like every timeI make it, I'm tasting a piece
of my heritage.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
That's really cool how food and tradition can be so
intertwined.
They really are.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
And then there's kind of the flip side of that, which
is think about a newThanksgiving tradition.
Yeah, you'd like to start.
How could it bring more meaningto your holiday?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It's about being an active participant, yeah, in
your own traditions.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Not just inheriting them.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
But creating new ones Exactly.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Yeah, and I love that because you know it doesn't
have to be anything big Right.
It could be starting agratitude jar or volunteering as
a family or you know.
Just something small that addsa new layer of meaning.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
To your Thanksgiving celebration.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Speaking of giving back, that's actually the next
theme giving back and sharing.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Oh nice.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Which I thought was really interesting because, you
know, Thanksgiving is often seenas a day of receiving and
indulging.
Yeah, but this theme is aboutextending that thankfulness
outward.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
To our community and beyond.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
I like it.
It's Thanksgiving, but giveback.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Exactly so.
There's prompts like what's oneway you can give back to your
community this Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
It could be donating to a local food bank or
volunteering at a shelter, oreven just checking in on an
elderly neighbor.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Those little things can make a big difference.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Especially during the holidays.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah, and it doesn't even have to be, you know,
material things.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
There's another prompt that says think about
someone who could use a littleextra love.
How can you make their holidaybrighter?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yeah, sometimes just being there for someone.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Listening to them.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Showing up for them?
Yes.
That to them, yeah.
Showing up for them, yes,that's the best gift.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Absolutely yeah, and I think you know it's all about
recognizing that we're allinterconnected and that by
uplifting others, we ultimatelyuplift ourselves.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
It all comes back around, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
And that leads us to the final theme for this part of
our deep dive.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Which is looking toward the future.
Okay, final theme for this partof our deep dive Okay, which?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
is looking toward the future.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Okay, and I think this theme is really about
personal growth, usingThanksgiving as a springboard.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
For reflection and setting intentions for the year
ahead.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Love it.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah.
So there's prompts like whatare you most excited to carry
forward from this year into thenext?
Oh, you know.
So it's not just about dwellingon the past, right, but taking
what you've learned yeah and andusing that to move forward
moving on up exactly yeah.
And then one of my favorites inthis section is write a letter
to your future self, reflectingon all the things you're
(08:18):
grateful for right now oh,that's cool.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, like a little time capsule of gratitude like
what a gift to your future self.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Yeah, it'd be really interesting to read that.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Like a year from now.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
But we're going to come back to that theme of
looking towards the future alittle bit, but for now let's
take a break.
Welcome back, you know, aswe're going through these
Thanksgiving journal promptsfrom Lestallion.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
I'm.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
I'm really struck by how they they weave together
this personal reflection with asense of connection to something
bigger than ourselves.
Oh, that's interesting.
I hadn't really thought aboutit that way.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Yeah, like on one hand, they're encouraging us to
look inward.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
To examine, you know, our values, our relationships,
our aspirations.
But then they also nudge us toconsider our role, you know, in
the wider world like ourconnections to our community, to
humanity as a whole.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
That's true.
Yeah, it's like they'rereminding us that gratitude
isn't just about us.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Right.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
It's about recognizing, you know, our
interconnectedness witheverything and everyone and
expressing appreciation for thepeople and experiences that
enrich our lives.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Exactly, and it brings us back to that final
theme we touched on before thebreak looking toward the future.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
These prompts encourage us to not just dwell
on the past, but to carry thatspirit of gratitude and
intentionality forward.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
It's like Thanksgiving is a chance to take
stock.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Recalibrate and set a course for the year ahead.
Yeah, and one prompt thatreally stood out to me in that
section is write a letter toyour future self reflecting on
all the things you're gratefulfor right now.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Ooh, that one gives me chills.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
It's such a powerful exercise.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It is.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
It's like creating this moment with all its
complexities.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Imagine reading that letter a year from now.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Oh, I know Right, what a gift to your future self.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Yeah, it'd be amazing .
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, and it really highlights the fact that
gratitude isn't just a feeling,it's a practice.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
It is.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Something that we cultivate through these small,
deliberate actions throughoutthe year.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Yeah, and I think these prompts can really help
with that.
Absolutely.
They can serve as reminders toweave those practices into our
daily lives, to make gratitude ahabit, not just a once a year
thing.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
So how do you think we can incorporate these prompts
into our lives beyondThanksgiving?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Well, one simple but powerful practice is keeping a
gratitude journal.
Okay, doesn't have to beanything fancy.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Yeah, just take a few minutes each day to jot down
things you're grateful for.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I've tried that before.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Yeah, it's amazing how much it can shift your
perspective.
Oh yeah, you know, even whenthings are tough.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
For sure, for sure.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Like it forces you to focus on the positive.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And, I think, another way to use these prompts.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Is to turn them into conversation starters.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Oh, that's a good idea With them into conversation
starters.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Oh, that's a good idea.
With loved ones you know like.
Imagine gathering around theThanksgiving table and asking
each other.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
What is one thing you often take for granted?
How can you cultivate moregratitude for it?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
That would spark some great conversations.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Right, or what are you most excited to carry
forward from this year into thenext?
I love it Right.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, it's a way to connect on a deeper level.
Exactly, and share ourgratitude with each other.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Yeah, and it doesn't have to be limited to
Thanksgiving.
Right, we can revisit theseprompts throughout the year.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Keep the conversation going.
Exactly, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
I think what I'm realizing is that these prompts
are not just about Thanksgiving,right.
They're about cultivating amindset of gratitude that can
enrich our lives every day.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Yeah, got it.
Yeah, that's the key takeaway.
Yeah, it's about recognizingthat even amidst challenges,
there's always something to bethankful for, and by actively
cultivating that sense ofgratitude we experience greater
joy, resilience and connectionin our lives.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Absolutely so.
As we wrap up this deep diveinto Thanksgiving journal
prompts, I think the keytakeaway is that gratitude is a
practice.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
It's a verb.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
It is a verb Not a noun.
Yes, and these prompts providea framework for that practice.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
They do.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
You know, a starting point for a journey of
self-discovery and connection.
I love it that extends farbeyond the Thanksgiving holiday.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Well, thank you for joining us on this exploration.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, this was fun, it was yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
We hope these prompts have sparked some meaningful
reflections and maybe eveninspired you to incorporate a
bit more gratitude into yourdaily life.
Absolutely so we're back andyou know it's been really fun
kind of diving deep into theseThanksgiving journal prompts.
Yeah, as we're kind of wrappingthings up, is there anything
that like really stuck out toyou?
Speaker 2 (12:54):
You know, what really stuck with me is that these
prompts aren't just about, like,thinking about gratitude.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
It's about doing something about it.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
It's like taking action Right, whether it's
expressing appreciation tosomeone or savoring something or
finding a way to give back.
Like it pushes you beyond justthinking about it.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
It does.
Yeah, it's like gratitude is averb.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
It is a verb.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Not a noun.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Not a noun Right.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Like it's something you do, we do, it's not just
something you feel.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Absolutely Right.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And those actions can have a ripple effect.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
On ourselves and the people around us, for sure.
So for our listeners out therewho are, you know, getting ready
for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
What's like one key takeaway.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
One key takeaway.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
That you want them to remember from our deep dive.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Hmm, I would say, you know, thanksgiving, it offers
this chance to really stop andreflect and reconnect with what
matters.
And these journal prompts, theycan be a guide for that.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Yeah, and remember it doesn't have to be limited to
just this one day.
No, you know gratitude andgenerosity and reflection.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Those are things that we can, you know, carry with us
all year round.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I mean, imagine how much richer next Thanksgiving
could be if we all startedmaking these little efforts now.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah, that's a great thought.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Like small acts of kindness and appreciation, and
savoring the moment.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
All those things.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
All right.
Well, thank you everyone.
So much for joining us on thisdeep dive into Thanksgiving
journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
We hope you have a wonderful and very thoughtful
Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
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