Happy November, everyone! It is that time of year in the good old USA to take a day out of our busy lives and reflect on the many blessings we have received during the year leading up to my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving!
NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER
Celebrating Gratitude and Thankfulness
by JOHNNY TAN
Happy November, everyone! It is that time of year in the good old USA to take a day out of our busy lives and reflect on the many blessings we have received during the year leading up to my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving!
Although the world celebrates many holidays throughout the year, and I am sure gratitude and thankfulness are part of those celebrations, Thanksgiving is distinctly an official American holiday focused on expressing gratitude and thankfulness. My first experience with it was three months after celebrating my 19th birthday and having been in the US for only eleven months. Hosted by my Southern Belle mom, Eleanora, and her husband, Nick, my first Thanksgiving was more than just enjoying the incredibly delicious food, which included roast turkey, oyster dressing, and pecan pies. It was a special occasion— both formal and informal— for us to reflect on the moments of gratitude and thankful events that had occurred in our lives throughout the year leading up to Turkey Day.
Since then, I have embraced this day as a powerful reminder to stay aware of my surroundings and be always ready to contribute to others ' happiness, be a blessing in their lives, and help them experience life’ s abundance whenever the moment calls for it. Nothing is more uplifting than people setting aside their religious beliefs and cultural differences to celebrate the“ Humanness” within us! Whether throughout
4 | Inspirations for Better Living • November 2025