“Thanksgiving Day is a good day to commit our energies to giving thanks and just giving.”
– Amy Grant
Those who read my blog know I am “big” on gratitude. In one of my earlier blogs, I discussed the difference between thankfulness and gratefulness. The difference is as follows: Thankfulness is a feeling, and gratitude is an action.
Many gather at their Thanksgiving tables and express thanks. I am thankful for my relationship with Jesus Christ, my friends, the kids who light up my world, my brother and sister-in-law, my home, my car, and much more. But notice these things are based on feelings.
As stated above, gratitude includes an act of service. For example, I am thankful for my home but am grateful when I go to a homeless shelter and serve food. I don’t always realize how blessed I am; I have a home and car, and my needs are met. I often send Thank You cards for gifts. I am thankful for the gift, but I am grateful for the person that gave it to me. An action is attached to those feelings.
Thankfulness or gratefulness is essential all year long. I appreciate getting a thank you when I do something nice for someone. For example, monthly, I send out notes of encouragement to a group of people and appreciate it when I get a “thank you”; however, I do not send out those notes to receive a thank you!
Many get stressed during the holiday season and all that it requires. When in that position, take time and look at your blessings. Thinking about shopping, decorating, baking, company, events, and everything else involved in the holiday season can be overwhelming. As a result, many tend to forget how blessed they are.
Below are some ways to find your “happy place” for the holidays.
Here are a few simple things to try to start feeling a little more blissful regularly:
1. Keep a gratitude journal. Make gratitude a daily habit.
2. Practice present-moment awareness.
3. Think bigger than yourself.
4. Share the love with your family and friends.
5. Replace complaints with gratitude.
I encourage you to enter this season with thankfulness and gratefulness and enjoy yourself!
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