Make it Thanksgiving all Year Round

It is that time of year again when Thanksgiving rolls around and we become more aware of the goodness and the blessings in our life. I love this holiday and I only wish it would carry on throughout the year. Gratitude and being thankful are the two things, that when done on a regular basis, will absolutely change your life. Just consider the warm fuzzy feeling you get during the festivities of Thanksgiving and the appreciation you feel for friends and family. What if you had this feeling all year round? What if you were to begin to appreciate and acknowledge all the wonderful people you come in contact with on a daily basis? What if you were to embrace your children everyday and tell them how special they are? How would it feel to send your friend or maybe your child's teacher a card letting them know how much you appreciate them? What if you starting telling your spouse how proud you are of all the things he does? The past few years I have been actively involved in practicing the attitude of gratitude. It makes me feel like my life is the blessing that it is meant to be. It doesn't mean that I don't get frustrated and irritable; however these feelings are always short-lived. I quickly bring myself back to a place of being grateful for the many riches I have in my life. This Thanksgiving, make an effort to take stock of all the goodness you have in your life. No matter what past or present circumstances you have, there is always room for gratitude. After taking a look at all you have to be thankful for, don't allow it to stop there. Make a commitment to end each day with gratitude and appreciation whether you do it verbally to yourself or take it a step further by writing it down. There is nothing better than referring back to a journal entry and seeing all the goodness you have acknowledged in the past. Get your children involved in looking at their day as well, for signs of abundance. Each night before bed my husband, myself and our kids will tell each other one thing that we are thankful for. Make a point of appreciating the people in your life. We take so much and so many people for granted. Start letting friends, family, co-workers, and others who may play a part in your life, how much you do appreciate them. You can do it with a card or even a simple acknowledgement of thanks or praise for a job well done. Look for as many ways as you can to practice gratitude and appreciation in your life. Stop focusing on lack and start focusing on abundance. Make it a year long process. You will be amazed at the results. I guarantee it!!! Happy Thanksgiving. -------------------------------------------------------- ) 2005 Peggy Porter Peggy Porter is a nurse, Wellness Coach, and author of YumME MumME Makeover-How to Balance Womanhood and Motherhood by Nurturing the Me in MumMe. If you are a Mom and want to start creating a healthier balance in your life, go to www.seekingbalance.ca and register for Peggy's free monthly teleclass and Ecourse! For more info you can also email peggy@seekingbalance.ca or call 506-832-0117.