Dear Students,
Thanksgiving is, in many ways, a complicated time. Between family, expectations, cooking, preparations, travel, more travel, overeating, and more eating, there is a lot going on. And this doesn't even begin to address the challenging historical questions surrounding this national holiday.
Despite all of this, I think it is important to stop and think about what we are thankful for. Having a built-in holiday makes it easy to do at least once a year. So whether you can make it home for the holiday, or you are spending your first Thanksgiving away from family, take a bit of time to reflect on people who have helped you grow into the person you are today. It might be a family member, a professor, a friend, a high school teacher, an advisor, or someone else. Once you have identified one person, thank them. Send them a text. Or an email. Or if you really want to get their attention, an honest-to-goodness piece of real mail! When is the last time you got a postcard? How much fun would be it be to have a thank you postcard arrive out of the blue?
So take the time out to thank someone this week. It will only take a few minutes, and gratitude multiplies when it is shared.
Best,
Dr. Vanden Bout
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