According to American tradition, many of us choose just one day each year to focus on giving thanks. This day is called Thanksgiving and it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving originated as a festival celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. Intensely spiritual, these New England colonists were known to celebrate "thanksgivings” often as moments of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victories or the end of a drought.

Since the official day of giving thanks is just a few weeks away, I’ve decided to create my own personal Thanksgiving Proclamation.

“What is a proclamation?” you may ask. Well, a proclamation is a major statement made in front of an audience as an official statement of praise and celebration.

I hereby proclaim, praise and celebrate…

This year that is drawing to a close has been filled with both blessings and challenges. Many, of which have yielded great reward. Such rewards I vow to mindfully enjoy as I am prone to forget the source from which they originate over time. As my memory of each individual moment fades, I choose to remain conscious of the wisdom gained. The bounty of life lessons gathered from the field of life and the peace that is harvested as a result.

In the midst of this seasons anxiety and distrust of unequalled magnitude and severity due to the political election, I choose peace and responsibility. I will not be provoked by the anger and aggression that surrounds me. I remain faithful that in spite of our national perverseness and disobedience we will come together as one and work to heal wounds and restore a nation. I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this process. I will responsibly take part in this process.

As time passes, so will the immediate reactive emotion that arises for all of us out of the campaign discord. On this 24th day of November I give thanks that we now begin this journey towards harmony, peace and unification individually and as a nation.

Megan Murphy, CPC