When we make a smoothie we add a ton of ingredients to make it taste delicious. Sometimes a little olive oil accidentally falls off the shelf and into our blender. Whether we like it or not we are stuck with that olive oil in our smoothie and don’t have the energy or the ingredients to start a new smoothie. We just have to accept it the way it is. Some olive oils are pepper-infused and make you want to cry, others are spicy, and there are some that are just so bland you can’t even taste it.
This analogy is much like our blended families during Thanksgiving. By “blended” I mean stepfamilies and other fusions of people. Year by year, I have resisted to even drink my olive-oil-infused smoothie because I didn’t want to betray my body. Up until now I was so hungry my only choice was to drink that stupid smoothie. My point is, when it comes to the holidays we have to suck it up and accept the way our families are.
It’s possible you have blood-relatives that you cannot stand. These are the people that hassle you about why you aren’t married or why you haven’t paid your debt with them. With these “people” the best approach is to just keep yourself occupied with other people and not give them much attention — especially during a special holiday. Why have a few bloodsuckers ruin your evening? There is no reason too! So give yourself a break and enjoy the day.
There are all kinds of families out there. Single-parent households, adopted families, friends-giving, step parents, step siblings, and even just one individual. During this time, it is better to be with people who have your best interest than those who do not. If someone you actually care about invited you to Thanksgiving dinner, you should go. Making memories during the holidays is worth the olive oil in your smoothie.
When we drink our smoothie sometimes we become so distracted by the apples, oranges, and kale that we barely notice the olive oil. It is a nice feeling when we know the olive oil is there, but no longer bothers us. After years of torturing myself of coming up with different reasons not to join my family for Thanksgiving I have finally accepted the way everything and everyone is. How do I feel? Relieved. I feel relieved that I am able to accept the people and also accept myself. Accepting myself has allowed me to grow into a more mature individual. I wish you the same while you endure your Thanksgiving journey & always remember what you are thankful for.
