“Thanksgiving began in 1621 when Native Americans sat down with a bunch of undocumented pilgrims. They had dinner and the pilgrims never left.” – Jay Leno (American television host, comedian, and writer)

The history of Thanksgiving in America is distinctive, and from the first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims to the present, the holiday has offered people many things. Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a federal holiday in 1863, establishing the fourth Thursday of November as the holiday every year to foster racial harmony between the North and the South. Ever since the custom has expanded to include a wide range of justifications. Between the time of Abraham Lincoln and the first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims in October 1621, however, for over 200 years, Thanksgiving in America was given a little role.

First Thanksgiving of the Pilgrims in Plymouth

In October 1621, the Pilgrims’ commander William Bradford proclaimed a three-day celebration of thanksgiving. After enduring the dreadful winter of 1620–1621, which destroyed their population and left fewer than fifty of the original 102 Mayflower passengers alive, it was to commemorate the abundant harvest of that year.

The Wampanoag Native Americans, who lived close to Plymouth and helped teach the European settlers how to produce crops in the New World, were also honored during the feast. Squanto in particular helped the Pilgrims the most and spent his entire life residing in their encampment.

Photo source: Rodnae Productions

America’s 200-Year History of Thanksgiving, From 1621 to 1863

The Pilgrims and other groups of colonists held informal thanksgivings after the 1621 feast, depending on the prosperity of the crop for that year, until the 1770s when the Continental Congress proposed a national day for expressing thanks. The holiday was first declared a federal holiday by George Washington, after which it only occasionally became observed.

By the middle of the 1800s, several other states had adopted the unofficial practice of having a thanksgiving owing to an annual tradition started in New York State in 1817. Abraham Lincoln’s formal recognition of Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday in 1863, however, was the catalyst for the holiday’s eventual emergence in the United States. Since then, every president has signed an executive order declaring Thanksgiving Day to be observed annually on the fourth Thursday in November. The proclamation was made official by Congress in 1941.

Thanksgiving in America and The Turkey

The wild turkey, which is a native of northern Mexico and the eastern United States and was formerly hailed as a genuine native of North America by Benjamin Franklin, has come to represent Thanksgiving in America. Although there is no concrete proof that the bird was consumed at the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving, it was reportedly hunted as a staple food in Plymouth. It is unclear how it always came to be associated with the festival.

Given that it is in the male turkey’s instinct to attract and mate with females, it is larger and more colorful than the latter. The turkey’s meat is of good quality and may be prepared in a variety of ways, including deep frying, but baking is the most common. Several classic side dishes are served with the turkey throughout the holiday season, including mashed white and sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie among others.

Today’s American Thanksgiving

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is held in New York City and is one of many held on this day each year, is the most well-known. It contains TV personalities and numerous themed floats, with Santa Claus coming in last and formally beginning the start of the Christmas season in America. As a result, Thanksgiving in America has evolved into a profound and cherished occasion for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Visit our website @www.dominiontv.net for more content.

Dominion TV, Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

“The crucial thing to me is being a diabetic does not stop you from doing anything.” – Theresa May

Age-related factors are important contributors to diabetes development. Once a person reaches middle age, they are typically at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. When it comes to type 1 diabetes, age is either insignificant or has no bearing. One can push themselves toward the safe zone by giving their body the nutrients one needs through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise.

Diabetes is a chronic condition brought on by either insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or inefficient insulin utilization by the body. A hormone called insulin controls blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled diabetes frequently causes hyperglycemia, also known as high blood glucose or raised blood sugar, which over time can seriously harm many different bodily systems, including the neurons and blood vessels.

Age-standardized diabetes mortality rates increased by 3% between 2000 and 2019. Diabetes-related death rates rose 13% in lower-middle-income nations.

Photo source: Matt C

Type 1 diabetes

Deficient insulin production is a hallmark of type 1 diabetes, formerly known as insulin-dependent, which necessitates the daily injection of insulin. Its origin and methods of prevention are unknown. Weight loss, visual abnormalities, increased urine excretion, thirst, weariness, and persistent hunger are symptoms that could appear quickly.

Type 2 diabetes

The cause of type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is the body’s inefficient utilization of insulin. This particular type of diabetes is primarily brought on by increased body weight and inactivity. Although frequently less severe, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes might be comparable to those of type 1. As a result, the condition may not be discovered until after it has developed problems. This type of diabetes was previously exclusively found in adults, but it is now increasingly common in children as well.

Gestational diabetes

Having blood glucose levels that are higher than usual yet lower than those that are indicative of diabetes is called gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women. Women who have gestational diabetes are at an elevated risk of difficulties both throughout pregnancy and during delivery. In the future, type 2 diabetes is more likely to affect these mothers and possibly their children as well. In contrast to reported symptoms, the diagnosis is made during prenatal screening.

Prevention

It has been demonstrated that a few lifestyle changes can stop or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. It is advised to take the following actions to help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications.

• Smoking should be avoided since it raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
• Obtaining and keeping a healthy body weight.
• Staying away from sugars and saturated fats to maintain a healthy diet.

Diagnosis and Therapy

Blood glucose testing, which is not particularly expensive, can help with early diagnosis. Diabetes is treated by reducing blood glucose and other known risk factors for blood vessel damage, as well as by diet and exercise.

The following are a few cost-saving measures.

• Regulation of blood lipids as it controls cholesterol levels.
• Screening and treatment for diabetes-related kidney disease’s early warning signals.
• Examination and care for retinopathy.

Is this article helpful? Share with friends and family. Visit our website @www.dominiontvnet for more content on inspired and empowered living. 

“Being bold is not about being loud; it is about being vulnerable and bringing your story into the light.” – Christine Tremoulet (Digital strategist, business coach)

Image of Hillary Andoh, CEO of HSA PR

The Bold New Normal Conference which began at precisely 8:00 am with an opening prayer and song performance by Luigi Maclean was moderated by Hillary Andoh, CEO of HSA PR, and featured incredible speakers including Charles Ofori Antipem, CEO of Dext Technology Limited, Awura Abena Agyeman, CEO of Wear Ghana Ltd., Dr. Yaw Bediako, CEO of Yemaachi Biotech, Julie Asante-Dartey, Executive Director of Agri Impact, David Ofosu-Dorte, Senior Partner of AB&David Africa, and Fatoumata Doro, M.D of Vlisco Ghana.

Lily Quist, author, and founder of The Bold New Normal mentioned in her inaugural statement how she missed a full second term of school while she was in Junior Secondary School 3 when she was just about 14 or 15 years old for a variety of reasons. Prior to starting school again in the third term, she spent that time with her grandmother. She periodically had conversations with God when with her grandma and questioned whether her situation then meant her journey was over.

“Just imagine if I had not gone back that third term, we would not have been having this conference today.” – Lily Quist

She thinks the fact that she must work and study among other admirable deeds defines her life. She continued by saying that she has fought and will continue to fight.

“My life is the bold new normal.” – Lily Quist

The widely respected speakers engaged in a panel discussion as the event went on. The CEO of Yemaachi Biotech, Dr. Yaw Bediako responded when asked what actions should be performed to promote prosperity by summarizing that Africans could solve global issues as part of those actions. He continued by saying that universities do not create jobs; rather, they produce unemployed individuals who must be intentional in their attempts to address issues by creating jobs.

Image of Dr. Yemaachi Biotech during the panel discussion

Dresses, in the opinion of Awura Abena Agyeman, CEO of Wear Ghana Ltd., are products designed to cover up people’s nakedness while also serving as a means of revenue. She responded with this when asked why individuals should wear Ghana. According to the young CEO, when we wear Ghana, we serve as a constant reminder to ourselves and the rest of the world of our immense potential.

“Every product is a solution.” – Awura Abena Agyeman

The Managing Director of Vlisco Ghana gave a presentation on authenticity to start the conference’s second session. Fatoumata Doro described how she adopted the same work ethic that had helped her stand out at her previous job when she visited Dubai a few years ago. However, she claimed it did not work for her as people thought she was one of the staff members who performed the least. She explained that the purpose of this story was to draw the participants’ attention to the fact that an individual’s traits that propel them to one environment could not always succeed in another. When she thinks of authenticity, she considers the wider picture and adds that it requires courage to be authentic.

“Heroes are not heroes because the road is smooth. Heroes are heroes because they overcome challenges.” – Fatoumata Doro

The conference progressed with various presentations made to the speakers, the performing musician, and the founder of ‘The Bold New Normal’ conference. There was a lot to learn from the speakers and other relevant people including all participants. The Bold New Normal conference was held at the Zinnia Events Centre, Cantonments, Accra, on the 29th of October 2022.

Image of some participants with Lily Quist, author of The Bold New Normal

Visit our website @www.dominiontv.net for more content. Dominion TV; Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

“It is dreadful what little things lead people to misunderstand each other.” – L.M. Montgomery (Canadian author)

Misunderstandings can seriously undermine any kind of connection, including friendships, marriages, and business partnerships. Every person involved in a conversation contributes to the misunderstanding as it might have been averted.

A misunderstanding happens when something is not clearly understood. There are numerous possible causes for this. Misunderstandings can happen in conversations when one or more parties do not make sure they comprehend what was spoken.

Here are some actions to take if a misunderstanding does occur, which it frequently does.

• Find the miscommunication’s origin and fix it

You can identify the precise cause of the misunderstanding by probing further. It may have been a word, a sentence, or even just a small amount of body language. When you find it, there will be a noticeable alteration that will let you know. The atmosphere may change for the better, or the other person may smile or sigh unexpectedly. Several encouraging signs emerge.

• Verify that agreement has been reached and the emotions have been addressed

There is frequent emotion involved when there is a miscommunication. Depending on the subject and those concerned, the level of emotion will vary. If the issue begins to light up as indicated above, it will be easier to know that an agreement has been established. Make sure you and the other party or parties are on the same page by asking questions. Be patient; it will pay off. Examine your emotions to see whether any are still present. Ask further questions about this if there are any.

Photo source: Cottonbro

• Confirm that this understanding has been reached, then proceed

This appears to be a straightforward procedure or a repetition of the preceding phase, yet it is not. Together, the parties should affirm and acknowledge that they have a common understanding and are prepared to proceed.

Communication is much more detailed than most people realize. It is simple to believe that people have outstanding communication skills if they feel at ease speaking to others, however, there are other aspects to communication

Is this article helpful? Kindly share with family and friends. Visit our website @ www.dominiontv.net for more content on inspired and empowered living.