Giving Thanks

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” ~ William Arthur Ward

Thanksgiving 

Every year on the third Thursday of November, those of us here in the states give thanks. It is filled with the Mayflower and cornucopias, stuffing our faces with turkey and mashed potatoes, yelling at the TV when our football team starts to lose, and waiting for the evening to hit so we can rush to Walmart for Black Friday deals.

Uh what?

Sadly I wish I could say I was exaggerating. Some how the purpose of giving thanks seems to have been missed in recent years with the exacerbation of Black Friday shopping and the rush and grind to speed through the season at a break neck pace.

I admit I am guilty of playing the Christmas music starting November first and diving into Hallmark movies even before Halloween. I got super giddy when I took a walk last week and saw Bergdorf Goodman had its window displays up already.

That said, we can’t forget what the season represents. That it is a season of not only joy but gratitude. A season that shouldn’t be celebrated just during a set time of the year, but every day.

I admit to being that person who abhors Valentine’s Day. No not because I am one of those angry single chicks, but because you can love EVERY day. Just like you can give thanks EVERY single day, not just on Thanksgiving.

Attitude of gratitude

Just being able to breathe is a blessing. The people in your life; family and friends, life events, careers, adventures, every single moment should be appreciated and celebrated. It is “Attitude of Gratitude” peeps and it should be lived with a purpose. Life is incredibly fleeting as well as precious. We should be grateful always, not just because a day on the calendar says so.

Not that I am knocking Thanksgiving, because we all need that reminder to hit pause and spend time with loved ones. But we can’t lose sight of what it is about, and the fact we should carry it with us year round.

No it isn’t about stuffing our faces until our bellies explode, (or at least the button on our pants pops) though it definitely gives us a great excuse. It is about appreciating those that  have impacted our lives.

I have said it before and I will say it again, this is not a solitary life, we have all been helped along on this journey, whether it is our parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, strangers, friends, lovers, even nieces and nephews. It is about giving thanks for them. For the incredible, yet crazy journey we call life of which we are on. Being grateful we are here, regardless of how or what obstacles have come our way, we still made it. That is a triumph worthy of gratitude. It is a blessing and a gift just to be alive.

Their are times it is easy to get swept up in the bitterness, especially with the hands that have been dealt. But then it wouldn’t be life if it were easy. We wouldn’t have our stories that are uniquely ours to be told. That struggle is what makes the success all the better, and it is what fills MY heart with so much gratitude to be able to say I am here. I made it. I am blessed. I am grateful.

To my family, friends, readers, and strangers, I want to thank all of you who have graced my life and made it so much better. Who have taught me lessons, the good and the hard knocks, who have stood by my side, been my relentless cheerleaders, supporters, and reality checkers. I am forever grateful to all of you. I am blessed to be surrounded by such amazingness. I love all of you, and I hope you have an amazing day.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

How are you spending Thanksgiving? What are you grateful for? 

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