The original Thanksgiving feast, a three-day-long affair, was created to celebrate the Pilgrims’ first successful corn harvest. After a tumultuous journey at sea and months of malnutrition, this feast marked a positive shift for the settlers—a new beginning of sorts.

While our Thanksgiving celebrations today bear very little resemblance to the original in 1621, the meaning still holds true: it’s there to celebrate life’s blessings. Through the ups and downs of every year, but perhaps even more so in 2020, we find purpose and goodness in the small moments that help us discover just who (and what) we are thankful for.

This year, our Thanksgiving gatherings might look a bit different than in the past. We may be celebrating remotely or enjoying an outdoor feast while bundled in winter clothes. Regardless of these limitations, we tell stories and make memories. We laugh and we smile. Because what truly matters is what is at the heart of the holiday—our shared connections. We are linked not only by our familial ties and friendships, but by spirit and by Qi. These connections extend far beyond our human reach, but they are there when we are ready to explore them.

If we believe that our bodies, minds, and spirits can achieve Oneness, we have to look at the invisible from a different angle. In the big picture, there is always a purpose—it is all intended for good.

Some families are made by birth; others are made by choice. Whatever your family makeup, the people in it are forever connected, in life and beyond. Sometimes in the midst of change, we create lasting impressions that bind us tighter than ever. This Thanksgiving is likely one we will never forget. We are grateful for the opportunities we spend together. Together we are stronger.

Whether you are celebrating family, friends, good health or your own new beginning, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.