THANKSGIVING

 

 

Thanksgiving is a season of remembering and paying attention to all the blessings in our lives.  The bible tells us “In all things be glad.´ Thanksgiving is a season to prepare us for the Christmas season, which entails peace, love and joy. 

 

We have the choice of looking at life from the perspective of all the wonderful friends, family, experiences, successes and new opportunities in our lives; or we can acknowledge our disappointments, hurt feelings, grudges we carry, and unfulfilled expectations that come with the human experience.  In every moment we have a choice of how we want to “be”.   We should try to focus on being content, happy and balanced regardless of where we find ourselves.  If we spend our energy fighting what is, then we are focusing on the negative instead of bringing in the positive changes we would like to experience.

 

Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to pay attention to the blessings in our lives, regardless of how small or insignificant they seem.  Where we place our attention and intention is what will increase and expand in our experience.  So, if we want to experience love, good health, balance, abundance, and happiness in our lives, then we need to pay attention to the love, good health, balance, abundance and happiness that already exists for us.  If we feel we are lacking in one or more of these areas, then we could visualize, meditate or focus on how we would feel if that something was present.  We should take time to picture our lives “as if”.  As we do this it brings us closer to experiencing the real thing in our lives.  

 

 

Creating an “Attitude of Gratitude “

 

Here are some ideas we can use to help incorporate Thanksgiving into our lives:

 

Christmas Cards – When sending your cards out, add a line or two about how you appreciate the person or group.  Acknowledge how they have been a blessing to you this past year, a specific act of kindness, or perhaps a success they have experienced and as a result, will affect others as well.

 

            Walk around home and see all the things you are grateful for.

                        Food in the cupboards

                        Clothing

                        Television, computers and technology

                        Games and toys

 

            Consider your health and be grateful for it.

 

Consider the successes in your life and remember the people and experiences that helped you attain them.

 

            Pay attention to the little things in life and be grateful.      

 

            Pay attention to all the comfort and joys we have in life that we take for granted.

 

Think of the people in your life – your friends and family - and pay attention to the love and support that you have received from them.  Where people fall short, know that we are all here trying to do our best.

 

As you wake up in the morning, create the habit of thinking of things you are grateful for.  Say a prayer of Thanksgiving to God.

           

Watch a program that shows the living conditions of people in other parts of the world.

 

            Visit a women’s shelter, or a mission for the homeless.

           

Visit an area where there are homeless people hang out.

           

Visit a nursing home or care facility.

 

Take the bus or walk instead of driving for a day or two.

 

Affirmations

 

We can use written or verbal affirmations to reinforce what we are grateful for.  Remember, we can be grateful for experiences that have not happened as yet; grateful in advance.  Here are a few ideas for daily gratitudes:

                               

 I AM GRATEFUL FOR: