You may be wondering why I would call this article a Thankful Thanksgiving. Aren't all Thanksgivings Thankful? Unfortunately, no. As a person who has experienced over 70 Thanksgivings, I recognize that being thankful is something that we have to work at, even on Thanksgiving.
If your home is like most, your Thanksgiving day will be very busy, with either traveling to where you want to go or preparing your home to have others over for the day. Either way, that can be very hectic and emotionally trying, which doesn't lend itself to preparing your heart to be reflective and thankful. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend is the most traveled weekend in America. Airports are full, and not always providing much room for contemplation of your good fortune.
This means all the more that if we want to be the kind of people who are characterized by thankfulness, then we must make sure that we focus on it, and not just on Thanksgiving Day, but at all times during the year.
Here are a few key words as well as some thoughts that are simple and practical to apply; something you can use right away in your quest for becoming more thankful:
Time. Set aside time regularly to be quiet, to reflect. We live in the fastest paced time ever. From the moment we awake to the moment we collapse into bed, we have the opportunity to go at full speed and never slow down. If we schedule time every day in which we can be quiet and reflect, we will free our hearts and minds up from the tyranny of the urgent and rushed.
Thought. Give thought to the many blessings that you have. Living in a consumer culture, most of us are fully aware of what we do not have and how we absolutely must have "it". But how often do we reflect upon that which we already have? Take some time each day and think of one or two things that you have that you may typically take for granted and then take a moment and give thanks for those. In fact, I make it a part of my reflection time to review a list of things that I'm thankful for.
Generosity. Be generous toward those with less and not envious of those with more. We tend to look at others who may be wealthier than ourselves and think, "I sure wish I had what he does." That kind of thinking breeds envy and jealousy rather than contentment. What can we do to break that cycle? I would suggest being generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself. Go to work at a food bank. And not just during the holidays ? everybody works there then ? but on a regular basis during the year. That will remind you of how good you really have it.
Ask. Ask a friend what they are thankful for. The next time you are at lunch with a friend, ask him or her what they are most thankful for. You will be amazed at the answers you receive and you will create a meaningful bond with your friends as you focus on this powerful question.
Acknowledge. Lastly, tell those you love how thankful you are for having them in your life. So many times we neglect to take the time to craft the words to express to those closest to us what their presence in our lives means to us. Take the opportunity of Thanksgiving Day to write them a note or sometime during the day put your hand on their shoulder, look them in the eyes and tell them. Let them know what they mean to you, and in return you'll begin to create the possibility of deeper, richer, more fulfilling relationships with those you love.
Of course we should do what we can to make the most of the day we call Thanksgiving, but wouldn't it be a shame if the only time we reflected on our blessings was that one Thursday in November? And the answer is, of course! So let's do our best to be aware of the many great gifts that we have each and every day of the year. As we do so we will see our hearts soar and our minds will experience more and more at peace as we regularly remember and remain aware of our good fortune.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jim Rohn
Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More
John Grisham wrote a book called SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Amazon.com reports:... Read More
No matter what celebration you and your family will rejoice... Read More
Maybe your significant other is overseas in the military. Maybe... Read More
Choosing gifts for any animal lovers can be quite a... Read More
The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More
Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have... Read More
Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for... Read More
When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on... Read More
Holidays have the potential to send an adult with Attention... Read More
1. Santa Spends More Than He MakesSanta's paychecks are nothing... Read More
Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More
As the countdown to Christmas day continues, most everyone is... Read More
Aran Sweaters. The Aran sweater takes its name from the... Read More
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More
Ever wonder why there's an "Easter Bunny"? Ever wonder why... Read More
I can recall from my days in England, watching television... Read More
"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return,... Read More
If you are like me, you never know what to... Read More
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th! Whether she lives next... Read More
Holiday Stress? Some Tips For Having LessWe all dream of... Read More
How to develop and heighten rapport on Valentines Day beyond... Read More
Fathers Day is the one day of the year when... Read More
It can be very hard to find that one perfect... Read More
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Army Themed Party Games... Read More
Ah, the start of another year! In a groggy haze... Read More
It is holidays time, and you've the money and you... Read More
The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated... Read More
"I Just Love It!"You know the scenario. You're sitting at... Read More
Valentine's Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking red... Read More
How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More
Bunnies & chicks, colourful eggs, and the hunt for hidden... Read More
Why should February 14th get all of the attention?1. Water... Read More
What do you get for the man who has always... Read More
In a word, yes !Labor Day, which started in 1882... Read More
Bar Mitzvah celebrations have grown exponentially in size and scope... Read More
Christmas memories are never dependent on the amount of money... Read More
When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a... Read More
Do you hate throwing your Christmas cards away every year... Read More
Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult... Read More
How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More
From my childhood memories, pride of place on the top... Read More
The Holiday Season. Does time seem to compress, or is... Read More
Getting the right hotel to spend one~s vacation at is... Read More
Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First... Read More
Everyone loves to look and feel good, right? Well, why... Read More
Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to... Read More
Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More
What does your holiday season usually look like -- a... Read More
Christmas is one of those times when the social norm... Read More
Do November's Thanksgiving experiences have you dreading the December holidays?... Read More
Traditional hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments never seem to go out... Read More
Do you feel panicked, or exicted? Are you experiencing joy... Read More
You've been nominated; or perhaps your family has issued a... Read More
One of the most inexpensive ways to create stonewalls in... Read More
Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list:... Read More
March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition... Read More
During this Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded to reflect on... Read More
Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More
With all the travel, gift buying, last minute cramming at... Read More
At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is... Read More
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year (January/February)It is usually in the... Read More
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More
It can be very hard to find that one perfect... Read More
No matter how many lists you make, cards you send,... Read More
Holiday |