If you are going to be alone on Thanksgiving and you are feeling sad and unloved, the best way to chase the feelings of loneliness and sadness away is to reach out and help someone else.

Self-pity is an emotional downward journey that will never lead to happier feelings.  Look around you, there is bound to be someone whose life situation is worse than your own.  There are people less fortunate than you who would welcome your attention and your companionship.  What could you do to bring a little light to their lives?

You could invite someone to dinner at your home.  It doesn’t have to be an expensive dinner or even a turkey dinner.  If peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or macaroni and cheese is all you can afford, serve those.  The point is to brighten someone else’s day, give them your time and your attention.

Or, invite someone to join you at a restaurant that serves Thanksgiving Dinner.   Can’t afford to go to a restaurant?  There is at least one homeless shelter or soup kitchen in your area where everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a Thanksgiving Day feast.  If you can’t find someone to go with you to dinner, then go by yourself.  When you get to the restaurant or shelter, ask someone who is alone if you can sit with them or if there are several people sitting alone at various tables, invite them all to  sit together.  Imagine the lasting friendships that could come from it?

Even if you are homebound, there are organizations that can help.  There may even be some family members or friends who would be happy to stop by and see you on Thanksgiving.  People are busy; sometimes they don’t stop to think about family members or friends who might be alone on Thanksgiving.  That doesn’t mean they don’t care about you or that they want you to be alone.

Of course, it is entirely possible to be alone and not be lonely.  If being alone on Thanksgiving is okay with you, then enjoy the peace and solitude.  But, if you would rather be with people on Thanksgiving, it is up to you to make that happen.

Wishing you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day.