Sometimes it’s hard to be thankful. Every one of us human beings deals with “stuff” in our lives, don’t we? No one’s life is perfect. You might see someone whose life appears to be perfect or nearly perfect, but they go through stuff, too.
I admit I’ve had my share of pity-parties. But I try to remember to count my blessings and be thankful (after a few why me’s of course ?). And now, when I hear someone say, “It can’t get any worse than this,” usually my response is, “It can ALWAYS get worse.”
The key to getting through stuff is how you handle life when it isn’t perfect or isn’t going the way you think it should. Find something for which you’re thankful.
This is so hard! How can you be thankful when it feels as if the world is against you? Practice. Find one thing. Just one thing … and give thanks for it. Every day. Twice a day. And then, add one more to your small list. Yes, more than one is now a list.
Maybe you have to start really small:
I’m thankful to have a roof over my head tonight
I’m thankful to have warm clothes
I’m thankful to have food to eat
I’m thankful to have a job that pays
I’m thankful for my mom, dad, kids, husband, family…
The list can be endless. And though you may not “feel” thankful, you can change that—even in the midst of bad “stuff” happening.
This is the time of year, as Americans, that is set aside particularly for giving thanks to God for provision. Both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln gave Thanksgiving Proclamations on October 3rd. Both were to urge Americans to give thanks to “Almighty God” for the provisions He had given.
Giving thanks is a good way to keep your mind, body, and soul healthy. I can always find something to be thankful for. This week, I’m thankful to have my son, who’s been at boot camp, home for a few days. We’ll get to have Thanksgiving dinner together. And you guessed it, he gets to choose the menu for dinner.
I hope you choose to find at least one thing you can be thankful for, too.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving no matter where you live,