How Grateful Are You?!
Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope you had a lovely day enjoying your family and reflecting on all of your many blessings! Did you make a list together of the things for which you are grateful? It’s a wonderful exercise – you are reminded of your blessings, both personally and as a group!
Why would a list be important in the first place? Sometimes we gloss over the value of something and a list gives us opportunity to revisit these instances, these blessings, and see them in a new light with fresh eyes. When you take the time and trouble to write something down, you are forced to think about it more deeply and get a better idea of its worth. Try it, I think you’ll be delighted!
So, now that you are getting started on your list, do you need a bit of prompting for ideas of what to write?! Beyond your God, health and family – try to think outside the box! For instance, were you given/did you take the opportunity to help someone? Be grateful for that opportunity AND for the fact that you showed initiative, kindness, and generosity in giving your time and help to someone! Or, perhaps you learned something new this year – a language, a hobby, a new skill – something productive that required extra work and attention. Be grateful for the new knowledge and that you made wise use of your time!
Making a list of things for which you are grateful is only the beginning – don’t stop there! Now think about what is coming up in your life – perhaps a promotion, perhaps an increased workload. Always remember to approach life with gratitude! Remember that you were designed as the ONLY person capable of filling your spot in life! So be grateful! Anticipate what is coming – even if it is indicative of more work – because this is what you were made for! If you are honoring your authorities and your God, there is not a thing that you cannot accomplish! Now THAT is something truly worthy of gratitude!
Gratefulness plays a remarkable role in life. It is so powerful and often underestimated! Do you know that one of the best cures for discouragement and depression is writing thank you notes – and there are always people who you should be sure to thank! Every single person in your life has helped shape you into the person you are today! Isn’t that incredible to consider?!
Even if you aren’t struggling with discouragement, take the opportunity to write a thank you note! Those notes boost and encourage others and it is truly a gift that just keeps giving. If you can’t think of a note to write, consider writing in your journal of recent events, inspiration or blessings for which you are excited and grateful! Those entries will be such a blessing to you when you reread them, and perhaps one day they will even encourage and bless your grandchildren! All because you were deliberate about showing your gratitude!
And in closing, I must say that I am very grateful to you, my loyal readers! Thank you for your encouragement and for caring about what I have to share! It has been a blessing to me to discern how to put some of my thoughts into words and I pray that they have blessed and encouraged you too! Now go out and share your gratitude with others – especially with those closest to you, as somehow they are the first we tend to overlook! Inspire others to be more grateful! And please share with me more ideas of how to be grateful – I’d love it if you would!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
Good thoughts. In today’s world with all of the electronic media, we often forget to be grateful. We don’t often write thank you notes or make thank you calls. Those are activities well worth doing. Thanks for the encouragement!