Thanksgiving in Canada....Life Coaching Activities

Phyllis Reardon M.Ed.
Life Coach


This is a reprint of an article I wrote 2 years ago. Happy Thanksgiving! Please share.

Although many of the First Nations in Canada had a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks this time of year, the very first formally recognized Thanksgiving Day began with Martin Frobisher.

Frobisher and his crew had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean and to celebrate a safe return from that search Frobisher celebrated with a Thanksgiving celebration.

In the year of 1578 he held a formal Thanksgiving celebration in Newfoundland. This was one of the first Thanksgiving Days held in Canada.


You may not have taken on something as risky to personal safety as a search for the Northwest Passage but life can get very challenging at times and it can be difficult to see the positives or reasons to be thankful.

There exist as of recent years a full body of research based on Positive psychology; the basis of which states that the more positive one is the higher your degree of life satisfaction and the greater your wellbeing.


To me giving thanks, or let’s say, finding reasons to give thanks can be tied closely to Positive psychology…so why not give thanks....be positive...benefit greatly from this mind set.


Life Coaching Activities for Thanksgiving


1. If you don’t already have one, create a gratitude list. At the end of each day note at least one thing for which you can say thanks or be grateful.


2. This weekend or sometime this week email, phone or a drop a note to someone, possibly from your past, who was a help to you in your career or life. Won’t they be surprised! They may even copy your actions.


3. Daily, give a recognition to those at work or in your life who are integral to your success but sometimes are taken for granted.


4. Become aware of your personal health and abilities and give a thanks to yourself for all that you have accomplished.


5. Create a Focus of Gratitude. It creates a Positive energy and flow and benefits you and everyone around you.


Happy Thanksgiving!

For more information on Life Coaching or any of my workshops, please contact me. Phyllis@coachphyllis.com


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