A Time to Give Thanks – San Francisco Bay Occasions
By Eduardo Morales, Ph.D.–
The holiday season is just around the corner. Think of this as a time to thank friends and family and be grateful for what you have. There are numerous opportunities for us to share with those who are important in our lives, as well as those who are less fortunate and going through difficult times.
For example, many of us often forget to meaningfully thank those who have provided us with services such as mail delivery, managing the city and county we live in, protecting neighborhoods, cleaning roads, and the numerous benefits which we through our social networks. At AGUILAS, my non-profit organization based in the SF LGBT Center that serves the Latinx LGBT community, we’re taking our time in November – with a Thanksgiving event that will be held on Thursday evening the 18th for its participants through volunteer work and the staff for their dedicated work all year round.
Autumn break in Latin America
In Latin America, various countries start the holiday season right after November 2nd, All Souls Day or Día de los Muertos, as is highly recognized in Mexico. Each country has its own way of kicking off the Christmas season with gifts, seasonal foods, and gatherings.
For many Catholics of Latin descent, December 12th is the day when the Virgin of Guadalupe or the Virgen Morena (the Brown Virgin) is recognized and celebrated, now known as the Blessed Virgin of America, as she was given by Pope John Paul in 1994 II. Was declared. Although several countries have an image of the Virgin Mary with which they clearly identify, the Roman Catholic Church has recognized only three apparitions or appearances of the Holy Virgin. These recognized apparitions are each known as: Our Lady of Fátima, who appeared at the Cova de Iria in Fátima, Portugal; Our Lady of Lourdes, who appeared in the Massabielle Grotto just outside Lourdes, France; and La Virgen de Guadalupe or la Virgen Morena, which appeared on a hill called Tepeyac in Mexico City, Mexico.
Many cities across Latin America have patron saints celebrated during Las Fiestas Patronales. These festivals in honor of certain patron saints can take place throughout the year for a week with fairs that include parades, rides, stalls at various stalls, music and a wide variety of food for the participants.
These celebrations, combined with the recognition of La Virgen de Guadalupe on December 12th, enrich the end of the year holiday season. For many Latin American countries, this season starts on November 3rd and lasts until January 6th, the day of the Epiphany or Día de los Reyes. This day celebrates the visitation of the three wise men, or who some refer to as the three kings of the holy family. It’s January 6th when Latinx families give their children various Christmas presents. After January 6th, several Latin American countries begin preparations for Carnival celebrations in each of their cities.
During this time of thanks, here are some helpful tips to help you get involved, be grateful, and say thank you. An important first step is to focus on yourself; to build a level of self-love and respect and to be grateful for all that one has. Some may think this is selfish or selfish, but it can help you feel more satisfied and better able to interact and get involved with others in meaningful ways. People feel the joy in you when you participate and participate in the time of thanks. In this sense…
Treat yourself well
Spend time doing things you enjoy and treat yourself well. Once a day, try to have a seated meal with the plates and glasses you have reserved for special guests. This is an easy way to do yourself a treat and enjoy your food.
Do some activities that you enjoy, such as: B. going to the cinema, theater, museums, visiting friends and much more.
Invite friends to visit and enjoy their company.
Work out either at home or at a gym. This will help lift your spirits and keep you healthy.
Give something back to others.
There are numerous organizations you can volunteer with to help others in need. You can search the internet for various organizations in need of volunteers during this holiday season.
Rendezvous with friends you may not have seen in a while and whose company you enjoy.
Keep in touch with family members who love and care for you, and try to do the same for them.
Try new things and explore other cultural customs.
Discover how people from other cultures give thanks this season.
Go back to your own traditions and customs.
When you decide to go on a trip, you should consider Puerto Rico. September 2021, Puerto Rico is among the three US jurisdictions that have given the highest doses of vaccines for COVID-19. Compared to US states, this US territory has most of its eligible population vaccinated against COVID-19 and has the lowest rate of new coronavirus testing in the US (https://tinyurl.com/yruzd96c).
Masking and social distancing are required in Puerto Rico, along with a full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. It has been reported that 81.1% of the population have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 78.3% are fully vaccinated. As a US territory, no visa or passport is required. The people there are friendly, the food is very tasty, there is great music and the activities are festive.
Spanish and English are spoken across the island as the school system has been bilingual for decades. You have wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, museums, and theaters to visit, and Old San Juan is a popular destination not to be missed. When returning from the island, keep in mind that Puerto Rico is exempt from CDC requirements and you do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test result to return to the mainland (as per Discover Puerto Rico’s travel policy).
Beautify your home to reflect the seasons.
Decorate and liven up your living space to enjoy the Christmas season. If you have a knack for decorating, you can also help others spice up their homes for the season.
Shop at farmers’ markets, otherwise keep an eye out for the seasons. It is good for the environment and promotes better mental and physical well-being.
Plan ahead.
Consider handcrafting some gifts for those you want to thank and please.
The holiday season can be stressful for many, especially when things are done in a compressed period of time. Try to prepare for this holiday season all year round so that the stress is minimized over a period of time. Start planning how you want to spend the holiday season early in the year to take advantage of special offers and availability. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly made things more difficult than usual. Through year-round planning, you can minimize unforeseen circumstances. In the meantime, enjoy this thanksgiving!
Eduardo Morales, PhD, is the founder of AGUILAS, where he works as Executive Director. He is also a retired Distinguished Professor at Alliant International University and President of the National Latinx Psychological Association in 2021.
Published on November 4, 2021
