Thanksgiving is upon us and many would agree that it is a great holiday to celebrate. It is perhaps one of the most important holidays for Americans. Regardless of background, all people can come together and appreciate all the many wonderful things they have in their lives. Additionally, Thanksgiving is not attached to any religion and further lends itself to the idea that everyone can celebrate it and appreciate its value to the individual, family, and society.

Thanksgiving is a time for people to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings they have in their lives. It also presents us with the opportunity to perform many behaviors that display SLAS’ Core Values.

Some families have the tradition of gathering around the table on Thanksgiving and sharing a bit of what they feel grateful for. This gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the abundance in our lives. By sharing what we are thankful for, we are being Proficient Communicators as well as Confident Individuals. Other families like to give back to their community. These families may spend time volunteering their time in a soup kitchen or donating things that could help enrich the lives of those who may not have the same opportunities as their own. By doing this they are showing others how to be Confident Individuals, Proficient Communicators, Creative Thinkers, and Compassionate Citizens.

SLAS challenges all of our families to reflect this season on the abundance of great things in their lives. We can only be Compassionate Citizens through our actions and showing others the value of these Core Values.