Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] You.
[00:00:06] From the natural state. This is Public Facing the Podcast.
[00:00:20] Well, hello and welcome to Public Facing the Podcast, where culture and community meet, sharing everyday voices and extraordinary stories.
[00:00:30] I am your host, Joe Holman, and I'm very grateful that you could make it to our show today.
[00:00:39] Attention holiday shoppers.
[00:00:41] This is a friendly reminder that at the time of this recording, there are only 31 days left before Christmas and 36 days before, before the New Year 2026.
[00:00:56] Now, today's episode is positioned around gratefulness.
[00:01:00] So much so that I have titled this time together as the attitude of gratitude.
[00:01:08] Thankfully.
[00:01:10] So let us settle in for some history and some fact checking and some surprising nuggets along the way. All right, so buckle up because it looks like there's a whole lot going on this week.
[00:01:27] This is time for the calendar rundown.
[00:01:32] On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, here in the United States, we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
[00:01:45] Now, this day is recognized globally and is part of a broader observance aimed at raising awareness about gender based violence.
[00:01:55] And on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, marks National Cake Day.
[00:02:02] Yes, a day dedicated to celebrating the beloved dessert.
[00:02:08] Now, it's also recognized as Good Grief Day, which is a day to acknowledge and process grace, grief and loss.
[00:02:17] On Thursday, November 27, 2025, is Thanksgiving Day and the federal holiday in the United States.
[00:02:27] Now, this day is also known as the National Day of Mourning, a day of reflection and remembrance for Native American communities.
[00:02:38] Additionally, it is National Bavarian Cream Pie Day and National Craft Jerky Day.
[00:02:51] Now, on Friday, November 28, 2025, is observed as Black Friday. It's a major shopping day following Thanksgiving and, you know, got to get that retail therapy in.
[00:03:05] Now it's also recognized as American Indian Heritage Day in several states, including Maryland, and as Native American Heritage Day in Washington.
[00:03:19] As a bonus, the day after Thanksgiving is observed as a state holiday in 22 states here in the United States.
[00:03:28] And those states are California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
[00:03:59] And in Nevada, the day is known as Family Day. And in Louisiana, it's observed as Acadian Day.
[00:04:08] Additionally, Georgia commemorates Robert E. Lee's birthday on this day.
[00:04:16] Now on Saturday, November 29, 2025, is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, a United nations observance.
[00:04:27] It is also National Chocolates Day, National Lemon Cream Pie Day, National Rice Cake Day, and Square Dance Day.
[00:04:40] Now, wrapping it up, there would be on next Sunday being November 30, 2025, marking the beginning of Advent, which is the first Sunday of the Christian liturgical year.
[00:04:59] It's also celebrating is International Computer Security Day, so lock those down.
[00:05:08] National Mason Jar Day and the Day of Remembrance for all victims of chemical warfare.
[00:05:18] Now this day is also known as St. Andrew's Day, which is the feast day of St. Andrew, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ celebrated annually on November 30th.
[00:05:33] So now you're up to speed on observances and celebrations?
[00:05:40] Tell me if you believe I've missed one.
[00:05:42] Send me an email at hello at Public Facing Pod Stream, you're listening to the talk show the deep dives into the true stories, sharing the everyday voices and shedding light on the positive issues that shape our world.
[00:06:01] We openly welcome the conversations, testimonies and personal stories that impact the lives of so many and from all locations in all walks of life.
[00:06:14] Because these stories should always be public facing our episodes are that of a scripted yet unscripted talk show.
[00:06:26] Now, regardless of what you might hear shared during our time together, my sincere hope is that you can find truth and hope inside the stories that we share.
[00:06:44] Onto the topic of the Attitude of Gratitude when it comes to the attitude of gratitude, it's really important to acknowledge and address each of those areas individually and with equal intensity.
[00:07:04] Now an attitude of gratitude is a conscious mindset and a habit of being thankful and appreciative for both significant things, the things we think that are big, and also everyday aspects of life, even the small stuff, fostering a focus on abundance rather than lack.
[00:07:26] Now this mindset functions as a powerful tool to transform one's perspective.
[00:07:33] You know, turning challenges into opportunities, reducing stress and anxiety, and enhancing overall well being, happiness and resilience.
[00:07:46] Now that involves intentionally shifting attention from negative thoughts to positive experiences, which can lead to improved self esteem, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of peace and clarity.
[00:08:05] An attitude of gratitude is really defined as a consistent, conscious choice to notice and appreciate the good in life, whether it's a person, an experience, or a simple moment like a Sunday morning.
[00:08:26] Now that functions by altering one's mental framework, allowing individuals to really reframe the adversity and find meaning within those struggles and cultivate a sense of contentment even during hardship.
[00:08:45] Now, practicing gratitude regularly, such as through journaling, through expressing thanks to others, or even to say, reflect on positive experiences, those can lead to measurable benefits, including increased optimism, better physical health, and stronger social bonds.
[00:09:11] Now the attitude is not about ignoring difficulties, but about acknowledging them while choosing to focus on what is still good, thereby building psychological resilience and a more positive outlook.
[00:09:31] Now, research indicates that expressing gratitude, such as by writing and delivering a say a thank you letter, you know, that can significantly boost happiness and maintain those positive effects for weeks.
[00:09:51] But let's.
[00:09:54] Let's see if I can simplify things, okay?
[00:09:57] Or at least maybe make the information easier to consume.
[00:10:03] Here we go with the great, the late as I call them.
[00:10:08] These are individual steps to attain gratefulness and to pass that gratefulness on.
[00:10:18] So begin by appreciating everything, no matter how small, such as clear weather or prompt mail delivery, as gratitude can be found in everyday moments.
[00:10:36] Now, finding gratitude in challenges by reflecting on how difficult experiences have shaped you and contributed to personal growth.
[00:10:47] Recognizing the lessons learned even in hardship.
[00:10:53] Practice mindfulness by sitting daily and focusing on five to 10 things that you're grateful for, visualizing them to deepen the feeling of appreciation and rewire your brain for greater happiness.
[00:11:11] Keep a gratitude journal to record your positive thoughts, which helps maintain focus on life's blessings and reinforces the habit of gratitude through regular reflection.
[00:11:30] Express gratitude to others.
[00:11:34] How? Well, by writing thank you notes or making direct calls to acknowledge people who have made a difference in your life, which significantly increases happiness for both parties.
[00:11:52] Practice gratitude through acts of service by volunteering, which not only increases your appreciation for what you have, but also boosts your own well being.
[00:12:08] Spend time with loved ones and practice gratitude in your relationships by actively listening by offering compliments or sharing appreciation during conversations.
[00:12:27] Cultivate self appreciation by acknowledging your own efforts in remembering the good in life and creating joy.
[00:12:38] Recognizing your role in your personal well being and that, my friend, is the grateful eight.
[00:12:48] Now.
[00:12:53] We've gone over a good bit here already, so let's do an kind of do an inventory here.
[00:13:01] Attitude and gratitude, check and check.
[00:13:07] Now when it comes to Thanksgiving, we're going to focus our attention on towards this way for a moment.
[00:13:17] When it comes to Thanksgiving, I'm really aware that there is a lot of talk and activities around the Thanksgiving holiday, though some of it a myth, other parts grounded in fact.
[00:13:31] And let's take a short trip into the origins of this day of thanks.
[00:13:38] Now, Thanksgiving in the United States traces its origins to a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists of Plymouth, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, and it lasted three days and they celebrated a successful harvest.
[00:14:01] Now, this event is often regarded as the first Thanksgiving, though it wasn't called that at the time and wasn't an annual tradition.
[00:14:15] The modern Thanksgiving holiday, well, that was shaped over centuries.
[00:14:22] Now, in 1789, General George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation. He was president then.
[00:14:36] But it wasn't until 1863 where President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, setting it on the last Thursday of November.
[00:14:51] And that was influenced by a writer named Sarah Josepha Hale's campaign.
[00:14:59] Now we're going to jump from 1863 and jump from forward all the way to 1941, where Congress officially established Thanksgiving as a federal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November.
[00:15:20] Now the holiday has evolved to include traditions like the Presidential turkey pardon the Thanksgiving parades, notably the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, beautiful floats in that one, and a large meal centered on roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
[00:15:47] While often portrayed as a harmonious event, the Thanksgiving narrative has been reevaluated to acknowledge the complex and often painful history between Native Americans and European settlers, including displacement and conflict.
[00:16:09] Now, as we.
[00:16:15] Kind of take a glimpse here, we've already talked about attitude and gratitude.
[00:16:24] But now let's get into some ways that a person could serve or to give back during the Thanksgiving through Christmas window of time.
[00:16:36] Now, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are numerous meaningful ways to serve and to give back to your community.
[00:16:46] Volunteering at local food pantries or soup kitchens or shelters even is a direct way to support those in need during the holiday season.
[00:16:57] Families can also participate in service projects like cleaning parks, raking leaves, or organizing donation drives for essentials such as food, clothing, even hygiene items.
[00:17:14] Additionally, adopting a family in need, hosting a toy or a clothing drive, or writing letters to military personnel stationed overseas are all impactful ways to spread joy.
[00:17:29] Volunteer at a food pantry, a soup kitchen, or deliver meals through programs like Meals on Wheels to support seniors and individuals facing food insecurity.
[00:17:44] Organize or participate in a donation drive for non perishable food, blankets, toiletries, or new unwrapped toys to distribute to families and individuals in need.
[00:17:58] Host a cookie swap or bake treats to share with neighbors friends, or to deliver to local shelters and nursing homes.
[00:18:10] Maybe adopt a family in need through programs like Operation Christmas Child or local church initiatives providing gifts, care packages, or holiday meals.
[00:18:26] Spend time visiting nursing homes or hospitals to bring companionship, sing carols, or deliver handmade cards to those who may feel isolated during the holidays.
[00:18:41] Offer your professional skills such as tutoring, graphic design, or handyman services to nonprofits or community organizations in need of support.
[00:18:57] Encourage your community or workplace to support local charities by sponsoring events, hosting virtual food drives, or making donations.
[00:19:12] Consider donating a turkey or other essential holiday items through organizations like Family to family, where a $35 donation can provide a full Thanksgiving meal for a family.
[00:19:28] And here we are with a shopping alert.
[00:19:32] Walmart and Aldi are currently offering a Thanksgiving meal bundle that feeds eight to 10 people for $35 and $40, respectively.
[00:19:48] I think that is a bargain. I really do.
[00:19:54] So Final Words on Gratitude There are multiple benefits of gratitude on the science side, namely how gratitude reduces stress, improves mental clarity and creates a sense of calm.
[00:20:14] Now the study that also shows that relationships are the greatest source of happiness, even when challenging.
[00:20:24] Okay, now we continue to foster strength and even endurance with consistent practice and build up that muscle similar to training for a marathon.
[00:20:38] Build your strength and be consistent.
[00:20:41] Remember, you are running a marathon and not a sprint.
[00:20:46] If you've heard the saying about life and lemons, then you can likely see how we've arrived at this point.
[00:20:56] The core message being perseverance beats pain, and finding the positive lining in every situation allows one to make lemonade from lemons.
[00:21:11] As we wind down our time together today, I ask that you share this episode with someone who needs maybe a moment of gratitude. And of course invite them to reflect on what they're thankful for before the holiday season ends.
[00:21:29] I'm so very thankful for you, my favorite listener, that you joined me today.
[00:21:34] I'm grateful for you being a part of the journey and hopeful that this episode has inspired a deeper sense of thankfulness in your life.
[00:21:46] Now don't cry foul when you feel sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner.
[00:21:54] Don't blame the bird.
[00:21:57] Turkey is not uniquely high in tryptophan.
[00:22:02] Foods like chicken, beef, soybeans, cheese, milk and nuts contain comparable or higher levels of than turkey.
[00:22:15] Now the the real causes of the post meal sleepiness are likely the large caloric intake, the high fat content of the side dishes, alcohol consumption, and even just the simple the general stress of the holiday gatherings.
[00:22:37] Take care of yourself.
[00:22:41] I welcome your feedback on all the topics that we discussed today and share here on Public Facing the Podcast.
[00:22:52] Let me ask, how may I best serve you?
[00:22:57] You've heard my voice, now let me hear yours.
[00:23:01] Join the conversation and send me your comments.
[00:23:06] Share your comments or story ideas or even just to say hello, send me an email at helloblicfacingpod Stream.
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[00:23:36] I believe that that is it for today's episode of Public Facing the Podcast where culture and community meet now know this.
[00:23:50] You are the very best part of public facing.
[00:23:55] Connect with us on X.com/forward/public facing pod.
[00:24:04] And also again, I know I just said it, but here we are.
[00:24:08] Send us your comments or just say hello at hello at Public Facing Pod Stream.
[00:24:16] Thanks for listening and until next time, keep share those everyday voices and the extraordinary stories and keep those things upright and public facing.
