Thanksgiving and Composition

Write a 5 paragraph essay discussing why you're thankful.
Write a thank you note to someone for something they have done for you.
Write a narrative essay about a time you thought about being thankful.
Write why you're thankful to live in the United States/Canada/fill in the blank.
Write why your'e thankful you've had the opportunity to get to know _________.

Thanksgiving seems to be this time for stock journal writing topics. Not that we shouldn't take time to be thankful and think about the good things that are in our lives. It's easy to be critical and take simple things for granted-- I believe that. But, I don't think forcing everyone to write about it is the way to make it effective.

I think gratitude has to be a choice. We have to want to be thankful. As we approach the holidays, sometimes all we can say is "Daddy I want another pony." Maybe we should write about that-- oh wait, we do-- we write out Christmas lists and letters to Santa.

Tis the season for writing-- somehow though, it just doesn't seem right.