Thanksgiving is upon us, and so…it is a time where many begin to reflect on days gone by this past year. It is a time of togetherness, sharing ourselves with those who mean so much to us, while giving us the unique opportunity to express our sincere gratitude.
There’s an abundance of ways to show someone you care, and being an active listener should be at the top of the list. People love to talk, but life gets busy as we know and more often than not people just don’t give their undivided attention today; disruptions with cell phones are the most common cause. This Thanksgiving, agree to put all the electronic gadgets your guests bring into a basket until after dinner. Time with one another is one of the most precious gifts this life has to offer and it doesn’t cost a thing. No one likes to have a conversation with someone who’s looking down at their phone constantly; it’s disturbing and rude.
Concentrate on all you have instead of what you want. It may not always be easy, but gratitude can change your life, as your perspective changes, so will you. There will always be those that have more than you…and then again, there are those with less. Learn to complain less; next time you want to complain about something, jot it down and think about how you can turn it into a positive, instead of being the voice of a negative nelly. Everyone wants good vibes and good things to happen…so be sure to practice your gratitude. I use the word ‘practice’ because that’s exactly how being thankful comes about; it’s learned and practiced from within. You can begin every day with something you are grateful for…hence the term ‘practice.’ The more repetition of something, the more it is remembered. Just think if everyone were to practice kindness every day of their life…the world would be a better place.
I’m thankful for all of my family and friends, along with those I’ve met along the way. I’m grateful for every day I get to put my two feet on the floor as I rise every morning and thank God for another day. I’m so grateful that I was lucky enough to have spent time with those (family and friends) before they departed this world. I am grateful that God has provided everything I need to live; food, shelter, clothing and love. Last but not least…I am grateful for all of you who read my column; whether it’s good or bad…you are here, so ‘Thank you, from the bottom of my heart’ and ‘Happy Thanksgiving.’
Make your week count.
