Stuff the Turkey, Not Your Life!

A typical Thanksgiving Day for me begins climbing nine miles up the Harding Truck Trail, on my mountain bike nearby in the Cleveland National Forest.  Myself and approximately 100 other mountain bikers do a pre-calorie consumption ride to ease their athletic minds and satisfy our spiritual connection to the mountains.

This one day of the year we are permitted to indulge in an abundance of calories at one sitting. The aromas of turkey and stuffing carry me down memory lane.  I smile as I think of family members that are far away or have passed and friends from long ago. The turkey you made in elementary school simply by tracing your hand or the turkey made from a paper plate!

Mom and dad traditionally continue to be the turkey masters, which in retrospect isn’t too far from the truth when it comes to dealing with all of us! Each year there is plethora of eye-catching and mouth savoring items to choose from; they never want to leave any of them out!

The time to indulge has arrived as we grab a plate and make our way down calorie lane! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, green beans, cranberries, rolls and salad. “It all looks so incredible; I’ve got to have it all!”

I can hardly wait until we’ve prayed and share with one another what we’re thankful for and experience that first bite. “C’mon c’mon son, hurry and finish saying what you’re thankful for!” Finally, I get to eat and it’s so so good! “Who made these yams? They are delectable!” There’s hardly a word spoken at the table, except the request to pass more food.  We keep stuffing ourselves thinking of how satisfying it is in that moment until we’ve reached maximum intestinal capacity and then we’re stuffed! You ever hear of anyone saying this on Thanksgiving? “I’ve eaten just enough and feel satisfied.” No, not likely, everyone pretty much goes into a complete food paralysis.

Today’s lifestyle seems to parallel that of this Thanksgiving Day. There are so many things to participate in and they all look so good! Like the traditional dishes served at Thanksgiving, you’ve tried most of them, now its time to let some of them go. If its more “filling” and not “”fulfilling” perhaps you need to consume less calories. We keep loading up our plates hoping to feel satisfied, but too often we are stuffed, miserable and experience priority paralysis. Our minds have information overload, shorting out and accomplishing nothing. This brings us right back to lack of fulfillment.

I often have my clients that I coach make a Life Mission Statement. When opportunities come your way, ask yourself, “Is this going to move me further along on my Life’s Mission Statement?” There will be exceptions, to this like when a family or friend is in need. If you find you’re not satisfied with what you’re doing, perhaps you’re not exercising your gifts or you’re being prompted to change gears in life toward the next part of your purpose.

Happy Thanksgiving! God Bless you and your family and may you be filled with joy and happiness and give thanks for having opportunities.