It is a time to give thanks. A time for us to take a deep breath, reflect and honestly say, “thank you.”

Ok, so this is what we are supposed to be doing tomorrow, but how many of us will be surrounded by family members, some of them a lot smaller and louder than us, in a tiny house that has grown so much smaller in a few hours time? Screaming and yelling, football crazed fans, mounds of food that has yet to be cooked, and a table that reaches into the deep recesses of the garage. Or how about still getting sent to the kids table because they forgot your places again!

Thanksgiving is typically my favorite holiday. I get so excited that people aren’t looking for what you are giving to them, rather what recipe did I mess up this year. I get the warm fuzzy feeling thinking about spending the afternoon with family that I haven’t had time to see this year and watch Wall-E with the wee kiddos. I particularly am looking forward to watching the game as my sisters-in-law await the impending melt downs of way too much sugar. I love the time when everyone gathers up the second plate and start on the cooling array of food. The once a year aroma of pumpkin fills the air and lingers for a few days. Everyone seems to glow in the warmth of family, food and a warm place to eat it in.

Then comes Black Friday…dun dun dun. The epic holiday where the news flashes headlines about the father that decked out grandpa for the newest version of xbox for his kids (and himself). Or the stories of women biting others in lines 50 people deep just to creep one more person ahead of the next. The honking horns, big signs holding big promises, 3am discounts that need traffic cops at each stop light….on and on.

Thanksgiving Day becomes a love-hate relationship. A look into the holiday of what it’s supposed to represent and what you see. Have you become consumer obsessed and tailgate all night for that new huge flat screen/Blue Ray TV system? Or have you become intense on making the most of the blessed day where every American is asked to join some table to be thankful.

I am a Hair Stylist by trade. I get to the point where the holidays are my high season. Everyone wants to get in and you squeeze as many people in that you can so that their family pictures look perfect and I make money for my slower season. The demands get to you as your are on your 11th hour and have only had coffee and sugar cookies to sustain your busy schedule. For a month and a half we love this time of year, but also cannot wait to take a full breath in January. It’s amazing how clients attitudes morph from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. It’s creepy to see how perfectly normal people become almost evil, and all for the sake of a perfect holiday.

We are supposed to enjoy going to the mall to window shop. Grab a cup of coffee, watch the families all wrapped up in matching hoodies and mittens, allow yourself to not become apart of the manic chaos and give yourself a chance to think about what this all really means. There are certain oppressions that we fight for, certain causes that we should open our mouths and stand with pride. Watch yourself when you feel the stress of retail consumerism seethe into your bones and want to give away to brief hysteria. Life is chaotic enough without you involving yourself in situations that are already being dealt with, so just step back and take a sip of java with a twisted smile on your face and enjoy life, right here and now.