I remember, I asked a young girl a few years ago during Thanksgiving what was she thankful for, and She said softspokenly "My daddy, because he buys me things." Confused, I continued to question her. "If your daddy is unable to buy you nice things, will you still be thankful for him?". She stared at me wide eyed as if I was speaking some alien language, and of course had no reply. These days we are constantly told by the media, that we are not pretty enough, or that we need to possess material things; and lack thereof equates to unhappiness. It is no surprise that many of us do not possess an attitude of gratitude.
Thanksgiving Holidays over the years have evolved from extended family gatherings and thanks giving, whether formal ceremonies or round table discussions before dinner, to Door Busters, Online Deals and Gluttonous Feasts causing people like me to fall victim to unwanted Congratulatory remarks. "For the last time, I'm not pregnant Aunty, I'm just fat!" Well, that's what you get for eating the whole damn turkey and all the pumpkin pie. (mmm.... I love pumpkin pie)
I once read that grateful people are happy and healthy people. Why is this? This is because they take the time to appreciate what they have. There is no worry about what they do not possess.
There are may ways to be thankful and so many things that we should be grateful for that go unnoticed.You can start by complaining less and appreciating more .
Here, try this....
Instead of saying I have all these dishes to wash, be thankful for the meal you just ate.
Before you complain about the laundry that needs to be done, remember that someone somewhere does not have a shirt on their back so be grateful.
....and so forth.
I generally like to start each day with a small prayer, or yell "TG4L" all groggy voiced, which simply means "Thank God for Life". It is important to begin your day by being thankful or grateful. Here's a short list of what I am thankful for.
- I am Thankful for Life because there are many that did not wake up this morning.
- I am thankful for Good Health, because someone somewhere is battling incurable illness.
- I am thankful for Love, genuine affection from my friends and family because there are many who have lost their immediate loved ones.
The Stiletto Bawse
I agree with complaining less and appreciating more! My husband and I are working on this with our children too.
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