By Luz Chiara Atoyebi
I love the month of November. It’s generally the time when the leaves begin to change color and thoughts of the holidays dance around in our minds. I especially love Thanksgiving. Over the last decade I have significantly scaled down my festivities. I did this for various reasons. One, I needed to in order to reconnect to the true meaning of the holiday which is to , not outdo my family members in the kitchen, but to enjoy the day and have a good meal. Two, I really started to order in takeout. Ordering in takeout on Thanksgiving has been a game changer for me. No more stressing about picky eaters or anti-social family members. I can grab what everyone wants, lay it out, then relax, For those of us that cook, it can be a stressful time. But, not when you order in. The only thing that’s missing is that certain, je nais se quois, that’s the love of a homecooked meal.
November is also a spiritual month as well. It is as perfect time to remember those family and friends that are no longer with us. It’s also a time to remember that, the most important aspect of the holidays is love. Just being with people you care about is a blessing, in my opinion. There are people that do not have anyone to spend time with on the holidays. Others don’t like their choices and would rather just be alone. Politics have been particularly stressful and people have allowed the media to separate them on a difference of opinion. I will admit, I will permanently look at some people differently after the way that acted this past year. It could never be the same. This last political cycle, especially for those with money and jobs on the line, showed a whole side of themselves that needed to be kept locked away. At this point, the grins and handshakes are tenuous,—I’d only break bread with one eye open. On the flip side, there is a certain strength and resolve that has arisen from remaining true to oneself during this season. But, I won’t judge you if protecting your peace is far more important than anything else. There’s nothing wrong with spending it alone, but there are other ways to do it. For example, you can start a Friendsgiving tradition.
Some of my best days around the holiday were spent with my friends. However, I personally like to go home during Thanksgiving or even host because it’s the one time of year I make and indulge in the world famous Patti Labelle Mac and Cheese. If you haven’t had it, I highly recommend it. You’ll sleep like a baby afterward.
November is the month that’s considered the quiet before the storm. It’s the time to rest, rejuvenate, and prepare for the year ahead. It’s been a busy year, why not take a break and wind down? This month, I am getting a new arsenal of board games to play with my kids, I am getting back into reading and overall, I am simply meditating and enjoying the changes in the weather. I won’t be doing a lot of holiday parties this year either. I’ve really been in my solo vibe and it has been an experience all its own. I love it. If you haven’t had that time in life where it’s just you and God, I highly recommend it. It’s life changing. It will open spiritual doors that no one can shut and rearrange the way you see yourself, others, and life. Who knows what next year will bring, but this year, I started with love and I will end on the same note.
