Words of Wisdom - Happy Thanksgiving

 

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Motivational Monday – Thanksgiving a time for giving thanks

Photo Credit: Heartland Paper Company

Shopping carts filled with a turkey, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese and other delights, navigate the grocery store aisles. Christmas tunes blast through speakers. Folks are preparing for their Thanksgiving feast.

At home the table is set for guests – Uncle Joe, Grandma Cookie, Cousin Ann and a coral of kids. All are ready for family stories, fun, and fellowship. It’s a time for giving thanks. What are your Thanksgiving traditions and what are you thankful for?

Today I give thanks for family and the memories we create. When my sons were young, we’d visit my mom, watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, then watch my grandfather fall asleep, sitting on the couch after dinner.

Thanksgiving Day has traditionally been the start of mom and me watching Holiday movies. We began with the movie Imitation of Life, moved on to Miracle on 34^th Street, and then watched a series of others. My favorites today include anything on the Hallmark Channel.

There are so many things to be thankful that the list can go on and on. As you prepare for Thanksgiving this year, be sure to give thanks for things large and small. Is there something that you can do to spread Thanksgiving joy to someone else?

Feel Good Friday – Giving Thanks

Thankful for little brothers...they grow old with you.

What are you thankful for at this moment? Have you heard the saying, “I may not be where I want to be, but at least I’m not where I used to be?” Celebrate where you are right now and know that your best days are yet to come.

Today I celebrate this old body of mine through a poem

This old body of mine

Woke up this morning right on time

Said a quick prayer for this body of mine

Gave thanks for my hair, though it’s gettin’ thin,

Even said thanks for the hair on my chin.

Legs got stiff from sittin’ too long

Stomach muscles no longer strong.

Eyes that used to see so well,

Now need glasses to read the mail.

Still got my mind, sharp as a tack

But sometimes there’s pain in my lower back.

Woke up today feelin’ real fine,

Gave thanks to the Lord for this old body of mine.

What are you giving thanks for today?

Feel Good Friday – Giving Thanks

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The Thanksgiving Holiday is behind us, but there’s no reason why we can’t continue to give thanks. What are you thankful for? You can always find something to be thankful for. Today, I am thankful for my faith, family and friends.

 

I have challenged my family to find one thing each day to be thankful for. In this challenge, each of us will create a Gratitude Jar. Every day we will write a note listing something that we are grateful for.

After one year, we will dump the contents from the jar and count the slips of paper…counting our blessings. Instead of creating New Year’s resolutions that fall by the wayside in 2016, why not create a Gratitude Jar?

Below is a poem to give you a bit of encouragement.

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,

If you did, what would there be to look forward to? 

Be thankful when you don’t know something

For it gives you the opportunity to learn. 

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

 

Be thankful for your limitations

Because they give you opportunities for improvement. 

Be thankful for each new challenge

Because it will build your strength and character. 

Be thankful for your mistakes

They will teach you valuable lessons. 

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary

Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are

also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles

and they can become your blessings. 

Author Unknown 

 

photo credit

 

Will you take on the challenge of giving thanks?

Muffins with Mom – A day of thanksgiving

High school reunion picnic

Make today a day of thanksgiving. I know it’s not November and there’s probably not a turkey baking in your oven. However, any day is a good day to give thanks. What are you thankful for at this moment?

No matter how small or large, shout out your thanks. Maybe you just experienced a breakthrough in some area of your life-you received a promotion on your job, your health is the best it’s ever been, your children are on the right path. I am thankful for all of these things and more.

I am thankful for new beginnings, old friendships and learning to accept things I cannot change. As the summer season begins to change, so does the next chapter of my life. Most recently I have celebrated a class reunion, a new job, and sending my first born off to college. And let’s not forget my baby boy completing the first phase of driver’s training.

Organizing a new office space

During the weeks prior up to my son leaving for college, I asked him how he felt about traveling 600 miles away to school. He said he was excited and nervous. I share those same emotions as he does. There is something exciting about starting a new adventure, yet apprehension about the unexpected.

I am thankful that my son has experienced the various challenges and triumphs that have come his way. Although his journey is just beginning, being away from home will add to his growth in many ways.

 

Freshman college orientation

As for my new adventure, God has elevated me to a new position in an old job. This is an opportunity to gather my team and create positive things for our community.

Last, but not least, I give thanks for 30 healthy years as I celebrated my 30^th high school reunion with my best friend. The reunion was a celebration of fond memories with old friends.

Every day is a day of thanksgiving. What will you give thanks for today?

How do you express gratitude?



A tree of gratitude

 

November is the month for giving thanks and expressing gratitude. During this month we also hear a lot about shopping and great sales. Have you ever stopped to think about the power of Thanksgiving?

A recent article I read talked about the power in the concept of Thanksgiving. This is a time we should give appreciation for our blessings. Beginning today, why not go on a rampage of appreciation? Challenge yourself for the rest of this week, to find ways to express gratitude.

Below are five ways to express gratitude to get your creative juices flowing.

1.      Give away something – it’s a feel good moment when you can away something you know the receiver will appreciate.

2.      Create a gratitude journal – write down things you are grateful for each day for one week.

3.      Use positive affirmations – create a list of your favorite quotes and read one each morning to begin your day.

4.      Make a gratitude board – make a collage’ of things you are grateful for.

5.      Remind yourself to be grateful – frame a favorite quote.

If you would like additional ideas for expressing gratitude check out 20 Ways to givethanks.

How will you express gratitude today?

Wordless Wednesday – Giving Thanks

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Youtube Video courtesy of National Geographic

Finish the statement, “I am thankful for….”

Thanksgiving – Another day to give thanks



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 Happy Thanksgiving! It’s giving thanks day here at my blog. Today I am thankful to all of you for stopping by to view my blog.

This week as you celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday I want you to take a little challenge with me.  Let’s give thanks for the little blessings that are right in front of us daily – healthy kids, the car starting without any problems, food to prepare yet another meal and the list goes on.

While you’re giving thanks, find a way to also brighten someone else’s day. It can be as simple as waving to a neighbor or sharing a smile.

I’ll share my Mantra for the day – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Do you have a favorite poem, song, or words of inspiration that might encourage someone else?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!



Photo credit: treatsastastytaters.com



Feel Good Friday – I am thankful for…

Sometimes it’s nice to reflect on the blessings in our lives. My most recent reflection came by way of looking at photographs. My mom and I were sitting in her backyard on the canopy swing. She was showing me photos taken on a trip she chaperoned with my son.

The seventh grade class took a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park. It looked like the kids had a really good time. There were photos of the kids running from ride to ride and posing with the huge characters in costumes. Granny had as much fun as the kids.

Josh & friends

Mama (Granny)

I am thankful for my mom who can step in and help when she is most needed. She is my pinch hitter in the game of life.

More reasons to be thankful…



Hubby

Brotherly love

Friends

Books

Sunrise

God's Grace

Complete the following statement with your words of thanks giving.

I am thankful for….