Thankfulness

Every year the same things happen. Leaves change color and fall off of trees. Pumpkin spice is all the rage, and people begin to play Christmas music. Yet every year on Thanksgiving I see the same posts. "I am so grateful for the people in my life..." or "I am so thankful for this year..." But have you ever stopped to think about what it means to be thankful? Not just saying that you are thankful, but meaning it. Spending the time of day to be grateful and give thanks to the people around you. I can't exempt myself from the occasional Instagram post about how grateful I am for the people around me. But are we truly thankful? Or are we just wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays?

Tons of people enjoy Thanksgiving, whether it be for the food, time spent with family, or even the arrival of the holiday season. These are great things to celebrate, but how often do you step back and spend time appreciating what you have? Today I challenge you, grab a notebook, or journal, even your phone or computer, and each day write something that you are truly thankful for. It could be something as simple as a mug, that makes you smile, or a person you couldn't imagine life without. And every day, write something new. But only write about something that you are grateful for.

Each year, I write in a journal something that I'm thankful for every day in November. It's amazing to be able to look back and appreciate everything that I wrote down. It's crazy to see people complain about everything they have been afforded in life. I am not excluded from this generalization. But stay with me here. How often do we get upset over the little things in life? Like when you go to take a shower and there's no hot water. Or you realize you are out of your favorite coffee. Or maybe you left your car door open overnight. These seemingly harmless things can set us in such a mood sometimes. Yet how often do we say, I am so thankful I have a shower to use, or I'm grateful I have other coffee or tea to drink, or I am so blessed that I have a way to get to work. The simple things, the little things, the minuscule things, that we take for granted every single day, how often are we grateful for these things?

This year for Thanksgiving, I challenge you to think outside of the box for the things that you are grateful for every day. It may seem simple but it's harder than you think. I also challenge you to not complain about what you do have because that defeats the purpose of being thankful. So write about what you're thankful for, think outside of the box to just thank others, and try your best to not complain about the things you do have in your life.

What are you thankful for this year? I would love to know! Send me an email, or comment on this post, I promise to get back to you.

I'll write again soon, Nia.