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Thanksgiving and An Attitude of Gratitude

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the US. It’s probably one of the least commercialized holidays. It doesn’t come with a load of candy like Halloween, and it doesn’t support all the retailers for the year like Christmas. For most people it consists of getting the day off work (or the full 4 day weekend), eating turkey with the family, and watching football. The power shoppers also plan their Friday early morning attack on all the After Thanksgiving Sales preparing for Christmas.

Sometimes people even call it “Turkey Day” instead of Thanksgiving. People eat their big dinner and then veg out. Most of the time we don’t spend time really thinking about how thankful we are for what we have and for those around us.

Now is the time we use the word “Thanksgiving” but everyday should be a day of giving thanks.

Does your wife know how much you appreciate her?

Does your husband know how much you appreciate him?

You might say, “Of course they know it!” Men are especially bad at this. I’m especially bad this at times. When was the last time you really told your wife how much you appreciate her and how much she means to you? When was the last time you told her how thankful you were that she was in your life?

The same truth goes for the women as well. When is the last time you really told your husband how much you appreciated having him in your life?

How about your children? When is the last time you told them how much you love them and how proud you are of them? When was the last time you said thank you to your kids for being who they are?

I could continue you on with your friends, your coworkers, your boss, your pastor, and anyone who regularly influences your life.

Have you ever noticed how expressing your appreciation to others cheers up your mood. It’s hard to stay depressed when you’re saying thank you. It’s hard to have a bad attitude at the same time you’re thinking about what means most to you.

Sometimes we focus on what we don’t have. We look and compare ourselves or our lives with others who have more instead of expressing appreciation for all we already have.

People who go around talking about what they don’t have, the breaks they didn’t get, or how everyone else has it so much easier are NOT fun to be around. If you’ve been doing that, STOP. Instead think of everything you do have. You may have your health. You probably have a roof over your head since you’re reading this on a computer. You may have family that cares about you…even if you don’t always get along with them.

Instead of thinking about what you don’t have, think about what you do have.

What are you thankful for today?

Who has made a difference in your life?

I’ve been talking a lot about action lately. Let’s continue that theme today. Pick 3 people who have made a difference in your life in someway. I don’t care if you have to go back to your 3rd grade teacher. Write down three people who have made a difference to you that you’re really thankful for.

Call them up and tell them how much you appreciate what they’ve done for you. Then send them a thank you card in the mail.

It’s an easy action to take today.

Then begin making “Thanksgiving” part of your life everyday and every week. Take a few minutes each week to say thank you to someone who may not be expecting it.

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your life…and watch the difference it makes in your emotions and your life. You may just be surprised.

Written by Terry · Filed Under All 

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