Give Thanks

While sharing a delicious Thanksgiving meal, most of us celebrated our jobs, health, families, and the many blessings in our lives. Now, getting back to the “real” world, our gratitude often fades and our focus returns to the stability of our career, buying Christmas presents, the balance in our 401k, the national economy, terrorism, or whatever else concerns us.
Directing our attention to what is wrong and what is missing is reinforced by the news media. It’s about the Madoff scandal, police officers killed in Washington state, unemployment, the inept government handling of the stimulus package, and military fatalities. Then, advertisers spend billions annually seducing us to buy the latest and greatest product or service. What we already have is not good enough. And as I listen to typical conversations, complaints and pessimism far outweigh expressions of gratitude and hope.
Here’s an exercise that Pat and I do daily. We identify what we are grateful for. You can do it, too. Stop right now and take 10-15 seconds to try it. Surely you have 10 seconds right now. Try it before you read further.
How does gratitude feel? It is a gift to your mind, body, and soul, an investment in your emotional well-being.
Even in difficult times, we have much to celebrate. Please join us. Take a few moments every day to give thanks.