3 Questions to Ask at the Dinner Table
Spark meaningful connection at your table and invite everyone to reflect on the gifts and growth this year has brought.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today is a day where gratitude takes center stage. But let’s be honest—between the turkey, the football games, and the whirlwind of family dynamics, the heart of this holiday can sometimes get lost.
Today, I want to offer you a simple way to anchor your Thanksgiving celebration in something deeper. These three gratitude-focused questions can spark meaningful connection at your table and invite everyone to reflect on the gifts and growth this year has brought.
Question #1:
What’s Something This Year That Surprised You with Joy?
Life is full of surprises—some good, some challenging.
The best surprises are the ones that catch us off guard with unexpected joy.
Maybe it was a spontaneous weekend getaway. Or the kindness of a stranger. Or even a moment of quiet when the chaos of life finally slowed down.
Asking this question invites everyone to pause and reflect on the little (or big) moments that made life sweeter this year. It’s a reminder that joy doesn’t always show up the way we expect, but it’s there—waiting to be noticed.
Question #2:
Who Has Made Your Life Better This Year, and How?
This question turns our attention to the people who walk alongside us.
Think about it for a moment. Who’s been an anchor for you this year? Who’s shown up in a way that made your load feel lighter?
It might be a best friend who checked in when you needed it most. A colleague who celebrated your wins. Or even a family member who made you laugh when you felt like crying.
Encourage your loved ones to share their answers out loud. You might be surprised at the stories that surface—and the gratitude they inspire. And if someone at the table comes up in conversation, don’t let it pass without pausing to acknowledge them. Nothing feels more meaningful than hearing, “You’ve made my life better this year.”
Question #3:
What’s One Thing You’ve Learned About Yourself This Year?
Growth is a quiet, unfolding process. It’s easy to miss the ways we’re changing until we stop and reflect.
Maybe you learned how resilient you are after navigating a tough season. Or maybe you discovered you’re capable of more than you thought.
This question fosters self-reflection and invites vulnerability. It gives everyone a chance to celebrate their inner growth and recognize the ways they’ve evolved over the past year. And in hearing each other’s answers, you’ll find new ways to connect on a deeper level.
The Power of Gratitude and Connection
Gratitude has a way of shifting the energy in the room. It dissolves tension, brings clarity, and reminds us of what really matters.
These questions aren’t just about saying “thank you.” They’re about opening the door to meaningful conversations, deeper relationships, and the shared joy of reflecting on the beauty of life—even its imperfect, messy parts.
But don’t let the power of gratitude end when the last piece of pie is eaten.
Here’s Your Action Item for This Week:
Take one of these questions beyond Thanksgiving. Use it at the dinner table this weekend. Ask it during a phone call with a friend. Journal about it in the quiet moments of your morning routine.
Gratitude isn’t meant to be reserved for one day a year. When practiced regularly, it becomes a lens that changes the way we see the world—and the people in it.
Remember: Gratitude opens the door to connection. And connection opens the door to healing, growth, and love.
This Thanksgiving, let those doors swing wide open.
Warmly,
Mike Foster