Choosing Gratitude: Lessons from the Pilgrims
Gratitude, like perseverance, is often forged in the fires of hardship. Reflecting on our visit to the Mayflower and Plymouth, it is clear that the Pilgrims' story is one of extraordinary resilience in the face of relentless adversity. These early settlers, who risked everything to carve out a new life in an unknown land, remind us that thankfulness is not merely a feeling but a conscious choice—a deliberate response to life's challenges.
Our visit to the Mayflower II brought these struggles to life in vivid detail. Walking down into the cramped lower deck of the ship, we were surprised that any of the more than 100 men, women, and children survived months in such conditions. They were not passengers as we would think of them today—they were cargo. Privacy was non-existent, sanitary conditions were abysmal, and the damp, dark quarters were shared with rats and illness. Unlike a modern traveler, they had no choice to escape to fresh air on deck whenever they pleased; harsh weather and the crew’s needs kept them confined below for most of the journey.
The Pilgrims endured all of this after already facing years of persecution in England and hardship in Holland. When they finally set sail for America, further setbacks awaited them. Originally planning to travel in two ships, the Speedwell proved unfit for the voyage, forcing delays and overcrowding on the Mayflower. They landed far from their intended destination near the Hudson River, arriving instead on the harsh, windswept shores of Cape Cod. Winter was already upon them, and with no time to build shelters, they spent the cold months aboard the Mayflower. Disease spread rapidly, and by the spring of 1621, nearly half of the original group had died.
And yet, they gave thanks.
That first Thanksgiving in the autumn of 1621 was not a celebration of abundance but of survival. Despite their immense losses, the Pilgrims recognized their blessings: a harvest sufficient to sustain them, the guidance and friendship of the Wampanoag people, and the opportunity to live out their faith. Their gratitude was not naive—it was a conscious act of resilience, a decision to choose hope amidst the darkness.
Walking through the recreated Plymouth settlement further reminded us of the harsh realities of life in the New World. The rugged homes with dirt floors, the tools and clothing crafted by hand, and the absence of any modern conveniences underscored just how grueling their existence continued to be. Even after their first harvest, their daily lives were marked by toil and uncertainty.
Gratitude for the Pilgrims was not about wealth or comfort but about a mindset—a choice to focus on blessings in the face of hardship. This mindset is a lesson for us today, especially in a world of modern conveniences, instant gratification, and constant comparisons on social media. It is easy to lose sight of what we have and instead focus on what we lack. But the Pilgrims’ story challenges us to pause, reflect, and choose thankfulness.
[see our Mayflower and Plymouth video]
