Hey Girl, Hey!
What’s your go-to music for Thanksgiving? Personally, I love a good Motown playlist for the holidays. Even though I’m an ’80s girl at heart, there’s something about Motown that takes me back to my childhood, sitting around the dinner table with my mom, dad, and brother.
My mom wasn’t a Southern woman; she was a Midwestern girl raised to focus more on her education than her cooking skills. Still, she made a mean turkey, cornbread dressing, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Those were the classics at our table.
Now, I’ll be honest didn’t inherit the family turkey recipe, and my attempt at mac and cheese was so bad I threw the whole thing out. It is a complete waste of time and money! But if you’re looking for a plate of Italian spaghetti or a perfectly cooked crab cake, I’m your girl.
With everything happening in the world, I’ve noticed something beautiful: young folks long for traditions. Thanksgiving, for many of us, is one of the biggest. No, we’re not celebrating pilgrims, but we are embracing the chance to slow down, reconnect, and share space with people we haven’t seen in a while.
That said, let’s be real: emotions might still be raw from the election season, and anxiety could be running high. Add to that the one cousin who always gets on your nerves, and you’ve got a recipe for some tension.
If you read my last email, you’ll remember my tips for protecting your peace. Let me remind you: the loudest person in the room is often loud and wrong—so let them be. Your emotional wellness is what matters most, and it’s okay to center yourself. Yes, you can be selfish and self-centered, but do it with grace.
For me, I’m making a promise to refrain from saying, “You sound dumb.” Instead, I’ll keep to myself, find joy in the moment, and remember that we’re all still here. Unlike my mom, dad, and brother, who are joining us from heaven this year, we have the gift of seeing each other’s smiles and valuing our time together.
It’s not always easy, but choosing peace leaves no room for regret.
Enjoy Thanksgiving—savor the soul food and the food that feeds your soul.
Gobble Gobble,
Monica Wisdom
Also, I made a playlist of my podcast episodes about the election and the 92%. If you need a breather, take a moment to check it out.
