J and J Journals LLC’s Post

Thanksgiving stress is ruining the holiday. Find peace and joy this season in one simple choice: Do you dread the chaos of Thanksgiving each year? You aren't alone. Holiday pressures and family expectations can feel overwhelming. Last year, I decided to break away from tradition and went to a Family/Friendsgiving instead. It was a game-changer. You'll create a stress-free celebration filled with laughter and gratitude. Thanksgiving doesn't have to be stressful. Choose what brings you joy!

Hiding who you are doesn't protect you It isolates you With Thanksgiving in the U.S. just two days away, the impending gathering of family and friends may find you prepping to pull out a mask to make it through Hiding who you are, though, does not serve you well Nor does it serve those you are with Fear is often the root of inauthenticity We hold back our opinions, shrink our personalities, or avoid certain topics because we’re afraid of being judged, rejected, or misunderstood But here’s the thing. When you let fear dictate how you show up, you deny others the chance to connect with the real you And you are amazing! 👏 Fearfully and wonderfully made by God. 🦃This Thanksgiving, I challenge you to shun shrinking and push past the fear of rubbing people the wrong way Remember, connection thrives on authenticity. The people who truly love you don’t need you to be perfect - they need you to be real. And for the people who may not appreciate you being real? Silence or intentionally hanging out in a different room from them is a great way to "keep the peace" So I challenge you again... Show up authentically. When you do, you free others to do the same. This holiday season, bring YOU to the table. It’s the best gift you can offer. 🎁 P.S. Will you be cooking or eating out for Thanksgiving this year? ________ 🔔 Follow me for more insightful shares on how to forge through the fears that are holding your future hostage. ♻️ Repost this if you know someone who may struggle when interacting with family to be themselves and need a boost of encouragement

Thanksgiving is going to be tough for some people this year. I can already feel it. While Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude and connection, the table can feel like a battlefield. When the election results weigh heavy on your heart, and the people around you celebrate a reality that feels impossible to bear, it can be crushing. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to shrink in the face of their words, their cheers, or their jabs. You are stronger than their noise, and you can withstand this. You don’t have to carry the burden of every comment or cruel remark. This moment isn’t about convincing anyone or fighting to be seen. It’s about holding onto who you are. You don’t owe anyone your silence or your complicity. You owe yourself the grace to prioritize your well-being and values above the noise. You get to decide how much you will withstand and what tolerance looks like. You can choose when to stay when to leave, what to say to someone, what to ignore, and when to toss the table. (Ok, the last one might have been too much, but you get my drift.) While your mom or grandma may be upset with you leaving, it will never be at the level at which you will be upset at yourself for staying. Time to put your big girl panties on and plan what you will say or do when the things you don't want hear or see happen. You got it.

Creating lasting memories with your family this Thanksgiving can be as simple as embracing it with open hearts and minds. By fostering acceptance, understanding, compassion, empathy, and kindness, we unlock the true essence of gratitude. Let's extend this spirit to those who may need a little extra support, making the season special for everyone. Together, we can stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with warmth and meaningful moments. 🦃🍂 #thanksgivingweek  #specialeducationadvocate #parentingtips

🌟 Navigating Thanksgiving After Betrayal 🌟 For those celebrating Thanksgiving, heading into the day without a plan can leave you at the mercy of your own reactions. But with a plan, you’re in control. Let me share a recent example from a conversation with a PBT Institute member: She was preparing to face her in-laws, who didn’t know about her betrayal. She worried they’d praise her husband, which would feel unbearable. She also wanted to protect her kids, who were unaware of the situation. Here’s the plan we came up with: Focus on the kids. She decided her intention for the day would be to pour love into her children, ensuring they had a wonderful experience. She committed to temporarily setting aside any triggering comments or upsetting moments, knowing this day was about them. If you’re walking into similar challenges this holiday, here’s my advice: 👉 Create a script. If people do know and ask, have a response ready. Try something like: "I’m doing okay, thank you for asking. If I’m ready to share more, you’ll be the first to know." 👉 Anchor to an intention. Whether it’s focusing on your kids, your own peace, or gratitude, decide what will guide you through the day. The time to create your plan is beforehand—so when emotions rise, you’re ready. What’s your intention for the day? Share it below 💬

Why do we treat Thanksgiving differently? Hear me out... Any other day of the year if we were stuffing our faces until over full like a ravaged dog, feeling deathly sick from eating too much, unbuttoning our pants in front of others to make space for our belly, etc. it wouldn't be socially acceptable behavior. It would be frowned upon. Why? Because it's gluttony. And gluttony is sin. We know instinctively it's wrong. It's wired into us from God. Why do we feel some form of freedom to do what we know isn't right on this particular day? One reason: Cultural norms. This is why you have to be prepared to stand alone in life sometimes. To go against the flow. You will find countless ways that culture creates opportunity and even praise for people who make small compromises. It gets celebrated. And those compromises grow into bigger things - sometimes even spiritual and physical death. 'Although they know God’s just sentence — that those who practice such things deserve to die — they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.' -Romans 1:32 Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE Thanksgiving and I eat some delicious food, and enjoy the goodness of God and celebrate His blessings to us. I'm not anti-Thanksgiving, nor am I a grumpy buzz-kill. Our family celebrates! Christians SHOULD celebrate and party. I simply want to call out that the cultural "water we swim in" often has us behaving in ways we are not mindful of the effects of. Usually leading us to compromise. So how should we approach Thanksgiving? How do we have a battle plan for the day that lets us enjoy it fully, while embracing self-control and restraint? How do we master Thanksgiving? Tomorrow on The Mission Briefing I'm going to unpack my suggested plan for how men can approach this day with joy, maintain balance, have fun, eat delicious food, and not compromise. Join us via the link in the comments.

As Thanksgiving 🦃 approaches, many of us are getting ready to spend time with family and friends. While these moments are filled with blessings, they also require us to navigate different personalities. Whether it’s differing opinions on politics, sports rivalries, or preferences for how we live our daily lives, we all have our differences. This morning, my lesson from the book 52 Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life by Bob Welch was this: Lesson 17: Look for the Best in People In the movie, George Bailey shows kindness and respect to Violet Beck, the "bad girl" of Bedford Falls. George didn't judge Violet for what he saw, he pointed out the good in her when she needed to hear it most. When Clarence shows George what life would have been like without him, we see how much of a positive impact George’s kindness had on Violet’s life. As you prepare for your Thanksgiving celebrations, take a moment to focus on the positive qualities of your loved ones. We are all unique, and it's natural that we may not always agree. Sometimes, it's easy to focus on the flaws in others (like Violet in It's a Wonderful Life), but it’s important to look beyond those differences and recognize the goodness that’s in everyone. The same approach applies to our coworkers. In business, it takes a variety of people to make things run smoothly. Take time to acknowledge and encourage the positive contributions you see in others—whether at home or at work. This Thanksgiving let’s be intentional about searching for the good in those around us and offering praise and gratitude for the unique blessings they bring into our lives. 🙏

Thanksgiving Table Talk: 3 Body Image Messages We Need to Quit Passing Down Holidays are about family, gratitude, and yes, food. But keeping it real: for many, they’re also filled with "uninvited comments" that can shape how we (and future generations) view ourselves. This Thanksgiving, let’s leave these unnecessary body image messages off the table: 1. “Looks like someone’s been indulging.” ↳ Translation: This normalizes body-shaming under the guise of “teasing.” ↳ Let’s replace it with: “You’re glowing—what’s new with you?” 2. “Are you really going for seconds?” ↳ Translation: Food is something to fear or restrict. ↳ Let’s replace it with: “Enjoy your meal—it’s a day for celebration!” 3. “I need to ‘work this off’ tomorrow.” ↳ Translation: Eating is a sin that requires punishment. ↳ Let’s replace it with: “Grateful for the abundance we have today.” Words carry weight! This Thanksgiving let's serve up kindness, acceptance, and a positive narrative about our bodies. What messages are you choosing to pass down? 🔔 Follow Nma Emeh for more on breaking the generational cycle of body insecurity.

Thanksgiving often highlights the joy of togetherness, but for those facing family changes or loss, it can be bittersweet. If your holiday looks different this year, consider starting a new tradition, like sharing gratitude for moments big or small. Whether it's a text to a loved one or a personal reflection, expressing thanks can bring light to even the hardest days. Remember, it’s okay to create space for all your emotions this season. From all of us at Wellview Counseling, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. #Thanksgiving2024 #HolidayGratitude #NewTraditions #MentalHealthAwareness #WellviewCounseling

Thanksgiving is often a season for gratitude—but let’s not ignore the stress that can come with it. Balancing busy schedules, family obligations, and the pressure to show up in spaces that might not align with your peace can leave you feeling drained. Here’s a question: What if you didn’t feel obligated to attend gatherings that disrupt your well-being? What if Thanksgiving reflected your values, boundaries, and needs? Here are three ways to rethink Thanksgiving this year: 1️⃣ Protect Your Time: Just because you have the day off doesn’t mean you have to give it away. Be intentional about how you spend it. 2️⃣ Set Clear Boundaries: It’s okay to skip conversations—or entire gatherings—that disrupt your peace. No is a complete sentence. 3️⃣ Reimagine the Day: Host a Friendsgiving, volunteer, or simply enjoy some much-needed rest. Your time is yours to define. This season, let’s embrace the idea that choosing peace is a form of gratitude. You don’t have to endure stress or discomfort to honor tradition. 💡 How are you planning to protect your peace this Thanksgiving? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear! 👉🏾 For more tips, check out my latest blog: Thanksgiving Without the Stress: Choosing Peace - https://wix.to/OYxmbJZ