We really do live blessed lives. Very few of us need to worry too much about going hungry or not having a place to live. We may need to work hard, pinch and save to meet all our needs, but that’s just it: our needs are met. It’s so easy to let the worries of day-to-day blur our vision to the great abundance in our lives.
So it is only appropriate that after a season of working to acquire a food storage,gardening, canning, learning, and improving our self-reliance skills that we now enter a new season: that of giving thanks.
An attitude of gratitude
Being grateful is more than just saying thank you. It is an attitude that acknowledges your dependence on the goodness of God and your fellow man and makes you continually aware of the many gifts and mercies you receive. Studies show that those who express gratitude are happier, are better able to handle stress and are more hopeful. Grateful people have a lower incidence of depression and other mental illnesses. They also have a stronger immune system and are healthier.
Do something tangible
Increase your gratitude this season by doing something tangible to express gratitude. A Gratitude Journal is great place to start (There’s an app for that.) You can help younger children by making and displaying a gratitude tree. There are dozens of ideas online for making a Gratitude Tree.
Give something back
Give from the abundance in your life. In this season of gratitude, find time to serve those who have less. When you volunteer in your community you are making connections that not only help to solve community problems and lighten the burdens of others, but it will also transform your life, helping you to see your own challenges from a new
perspective. Be sure to include your children in your community service so that they, too, can learn the satisfaction of giving.
By focusing on gratitude, you will begin the new year from a perspective of abundance rather than one of need or fear and you will be able to set realistic and meaningful goals
