A different twist on giving thanks.

No matter how much you may try to avoid a holiday, no matter where you are or what you are doing, it is a holiday. The day seems different, the air, the way you feel. No matter what – a holiday is a holiday. I know that because I have had holidays that weren't quite the traditional holiday and ones that I wanted to forget. This year both my daughter and husband are away. I have also had holidays away from home or other major loved ones where sick, just to name a few out of the out of the box holidays I have had. And no matter how much I tried to avoid the holiday or the ache of an absence, it was the holiday. So this year, I have been thinking a great deal about thanksgiving and a different way of looking at this important holiday.

Instead of dwelling on what you don’t have or experiencing an event you don’t like, today, or any day you read this, turn everything around to a thank you. I got home this morning and the house was cold, and empty. Instead of complaining about the cold, I said a thank you that I have a furnace that works and the money to pay the bill. Instead of feeling lonely today, I am thankful I have an independent daughter who can think on her feet and not need me, a husband who is good to his mother (as well as all the women in his life) and a wonderful supportive family.

So today, instead of complaining about the dishes that need to be cleaned up or the mess the kids left this year, say thanks for all the people in your life that helped make the mess. And that they all have the abilities to eat and make a mess on their own.

As you get up to go to work, and most of us really don’t want to get up in the morning, whether it is to go to work or an after Thanksgiving sale, say thanks that you have a job to go to and the money to spend on a sale. Turn any possible negative thought into a thank you. Or look at that moment as a positive and say thank you. Other examples? While sitting in traffic, be thankful you have a car, enjoy listening to a song or enjoy the time alone with your child or loved one. Every day, every moment we have so much to be thankful for. Being thankful, again that attitude of gratitude, opens up so much for in your life.

If you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back and change in your pocket – you are richer than 95% of the world’s population. Today, and every day, say thank you for all the blessing you have – because we are all blessed in so many ways. It seems it is too easy to forget how very blessed we all are.

Thanks for reading my blog, my thoughts, and enjoy this holiday season no matter where you are or what you are doing. There are men and women today away from home protecting all that we have. Be sure to say a prayer for their safety and a thank you for all the sacrifices they make to protect our freedoms. Happy Thanksgiving.