It’s Thanksgiving. Empathy and food — is there a connection? I don’t think so. Let’s all just be grateful today for the food we have, and empathize with those who are hungry.

And if you have a crazy uncle at the table who starts trying to spout his views, don’t confront them. Spend a moment trying to empathize and understand and validate them and then go back to eating. It will keep a little peace at the table, and more peace is what the world needs.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Grateful that you are with me along on My Gratitude Project.


This post is part of my Gratitude Project 2025: The Magic of Empathy — a 30-day exploration of empathy and gratitude. Visit the hub to follow along or catch up on past reflections.

If you’d like to explore the science behind gratitude, visit the Greater Good Science Center’s Gratitude Resources.