WOW, I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving already, and once again I have so much to be grateful for!
I am, I am! Are you? image via Etsy, no longer available unfortunately!
I’ve always loved the Thanksgiving holiday, over every other holiday. I like that it isn’t about gifts, more, bigger, better etc. I like that the whole idea around Thanksgiving is…to give Thanks! Gratitude is a divine state. To be grateful makes us feel good. We know that people who are more grateful are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships. Grateful people also have a greater sense of purpose in life and more self acceptance. Grateful people find it easier to cope with life transitions, they grow more from difficult experiences, and in general they sleep better. And the really cool thing is that gratitude begets more gratitude!
Have you had this experience?-image via My Smiling Heart organization
So, what are some ways we can increase gratitude in our lives? Personally when I am going through difficult times I keep a gratitude journal. I force myself to write 10 things I am grateful for every night before I go to sleep. I call my family and friends and tell them how important they are to me and bask in the warmth of their love. I look around my life with “new” eyes and give thanks for the beauty in my life. I am learning to do this every day of my life and because of this, I feel better in general. This Thanksgiving why not share your gratitude with your friends and family and use the beauty of gratitude to decorate and uplift your space at the same time? (click on this link to see a video filled with Thanksgiving decorating ideas!)
- Transform words that express heartfelt sentiments into decorative motifs for your table.
- stencil it on table cloths, napkins, and create napkin rings with little bits of gratitude.
- Write quotes or heartfelt sentiment on strips of paper and wrap around your glasses.
DIY placemats with lines for everyone to write down what they are grateful for!-image and idea via Oh My Deer Handmades
- Stamp colorful messages and designs onto napkins.
- Wrap a series of candles with felt letters and spread the words down the middle of your table.
- But most importantly…tell the people that you love why you are grateful that they are in your life.
- My husband. Through the past couple of difficult years he’s maintained his solid core of kindness, gentleness and his ability to be present in each and every moment. He is a good man.
- My families health. My parents are going strong, my in-laws (after a difficult year) will be sitting at my table for Thanksgiving dinner and we are growing in numbers.
- The brightest and most beautiful granddaughter and her new brother who we are more and more in love with each and every day.
Ardyn holding her brother Maxen 6 weeks ago when he was only 1 day old! sigh…my grandkids are the best
- My clients, of which there are more and more each and everyday. I am so grateful for their confidence in my ability to help them create their space.
- My home. It’s welcoming atmosphere and the love that resides in it.
- My country, and the fact that we have a voice and are able to articulate it.
- And you…each and every one of you who support me with your thoughtful comments, and who take the time to actually read what I write.
Thank you all, and Happy Thanksgiving!-image via the Changing Blog
For all that and more…Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
For the best video on gratitude I’ve seen, check this out. It’s worth the watch and at full screen. Tell me, what are you grateful for this year?
I’ll see you all after the holiday, so from my family to yours…Happy Thanksgiving!
Comments
Related Articles
5 Comments
-
Irene–thank you for a very lovely video–
Thanksgiving always places things in their proper perspectives–We all have so much to give thanks for~~~
I have a wonderful family who all enjoy good health as do the grandchildren~~
a husband who stays by my side through thick and thin and a
mother who at 98 will be seated at our table~~~
For my good health and a nice , warm, cozy home to entertain family and friends~~
For God’s grace and his unfailing love and protection over our nation~~
For all my FB friends that I so love and enjoy everyday~~~and again
thanks to God for his abundance that he pours out on us day by day through the year~~~and
Irene I agree with you ~~Thanksgiving is a gracious day set aside to appreciate what we have and enjoy our friends and family and so i wish a very special Thanksgiving Day filled with much happiness and joy to you and your family
Blessings~~~~Lyn-
Author
And Blessings to you Lyn, I appreciate you, your thoughtful comments and your presence in my life. Wishing you and your’s a delightful Thanksgiving.
-
-
This is really beautiful. I am also thankful for my wife, family and the beauty that is all around us.
-
Thank you for the post Irene. I need to be reminded (often) that life’s challenges are opportunities to learn, and that remaining teachable is something to be utterly grateful for.
Many blessings for you and your family, and Happy Thanksgiving.
-
I have so many things to be thankful for. I have two boys that are healthy, (one that is a Marine) and both are safe and doing well. For my health and my energy. For my business, for my dear friends. For the fact that we are free. The food I eat and the air I breath. For every day that I am on this earth. So, many, many things!
