Thanksgiving is the first of three major holidays for us in the US, before Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Thanksgiving Day begins the holiday travel and lavish feast but besides all the festivities (stuffing, turkey, and football), let’s not forget the true meaning of thanksgiving. The annual national holiday, which falls on the fourth Thursday in November, is set aside to be the day of appreciation and sharing spent with family, friends, and loved ones. However, the attitude of gratitude should be practiced all year round.
It is easy to get lost in the things that are not going right and what you don’t have, but like Thoreau Walden reminds us, “when you feel lacking, you don’t need new things, you need new eyes.”
So how do you practice the attitude of gratitude on common days? By making life a never-ending fiesta and celebration… Appreciating all the things and people we have in our lives that support and help to make our lives better. By stopping to smell the roses, savoring the beauty in everything, and living in the now.
One way of constantly reminding yourself of how blessed you are is to start a gratitude journal, something I’ve actually started myself. Keeping a running list of what you are grateful for, is the more aware you will be of life’s bountifulness, and the more your happiness will increase. Another way is to hand-write thank-you notes to the people who contribute to your success.
Practicing an attitude of gratitude gives a sense of appreciation, a sense of purpose, and well-being. In addition to writing about your gratefulness, you can express small acts of gratitude in many ways. Maybe hand-write a thank you note to the people who contribute and make your life better or actually take time to enjoy the little treasures of life.
WHAT I AM GRATEFUL FOR THIS THANKSGIVING
- My Children: Who are the light of my life and reason I constantly strive to be better.
- Family: Who despite all the ups and down is always there to lean on.
- Entrepreneurship & My Blogs: The creative outlets that allow me to get paid to do what I love, while being able to stay at home with my little one. My business and blog as opened many doors for me – the opportunity to work with some cool brands, meeting some awesome people, and the many perks it makes it that much more fun.
- My Readers & Clients: That let me pour into their lives, and keep coming back time and time again.
- I am grateful that I have a Spiritual leader that teaches purpose, clarity and growth. But most importantly, I am grateful that I have a power on my side that’s greater than anything.
- A God that is there to give me a calmness in the midst of my storms.
How do you practice the attitude of gratitude in your life?
