Expectations & attitude

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the U.S. For many people that means family gatherings. And family gatherings can mean both fun and dysfunction. For some families, it's either fun or dysfunction. And for others, it's both.

If Thanksgiving gatherings have been pleasant experiences for you in the past, no doubt you look forward to tomorrow with high anticipation. However, if you've had negative experiences in the past, you may be approaching it with at least some fear and trepidation.

Or you might even be one of many in our society who have no special plans, no family with whom to share the day—or perhaps family far away and unable to gather. Or perhaps you have what I call "chosen family"—friends who have become as close and as important to you as family and with whom you spend holidays.

Whatever your circumstance, your expectations and your attitude toward your situation can make a difference in how you experience tomorrow. If you are less than thrilled about what tomorrow will bring, is there one small change you can make to your attitude that will ensure a better day? Is there even something you can do to make tomorrow better for someone else you know—or maybe even for a stranger? As we know, reaching out to do good things for others has a way of coming back to us, too.

Here's wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!