Thanksgiving as a Sacred Journey (My Choice)

November 22 2017
Thanksgiving is a time where, traditionally, family members travel great distances to have a single meal. Usually, it is a grandparent or other older family member’s house where everyone conveens. For most people, thanksgiving is seen as a pain more than a blessing. There are no gifts given, no prizes won, and little to no exciting traditions that comes with other holidays such as Halloween or Christmas. The satisfaction one gets depends on their mindset and participation, similar to someone hiking or visiting a sacred landmark.
The focus of Thanksgiving, commercially, is the food. Traditionally, it is meant to be a humbling experience where people reflect on their lives and give thanks to what they have. However someone views it, Thanksgiving is notorious for a rich sense of communitas. People who begrudgingly attend see it as a chore and do not experience the sense of communitas. They are similar to someone on the AT or PCT who travel alone and do not socialize with other hikers. The journey itself is just as important as the meal itself. Some drive (or fly) blindly. They do not take in the scenery or pay mind to the interactions they could be having with those around them while traveling.

The meal itself is a chance to engage with the family and friends at the table and a time to decenter oneself. Similar to sacred journeys we’ve discussed in class, these opportunities are all unique. The opportunity to engage may not occur or the mood may be good one year and lackluster the next. Each dinner is different and although it seems like a chore to be sitting in the living room of my grandparents, it is an experience that can never be repeated. Although I may not enjoy being in the middle of nowhere, I can, at least, appreciate the experience of being in the middle of nowhere.

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