This month we celebrate Thanksgiving. During this holiday we reflect on what we are thankful for and give thanks to our bountiful harvest. Traditionally families gather together and share good food and their love for one another. During these tough financial times it is even more important to reflect on what we are grateful for. However, the holiday times can be stressful for those that do not see eye to eye with their family. Below you will find helpful strategies to simplify the meaning of the holidays and ways to help you be grateful and thankful for what you do have.

Cultivating gratefulness and thankfulness this month can go a long way to healing your soul and strengthening the bonds between you and family members. One simple way to instill gratitude is to consciously be aware of saying “thank you”. Even small acts such as the cashier helping you at the grocery store or the customer holding the door open for you warrants a “thank you” with a smile. The feeling that you get by saying “thank you” and being grateful goes a long way to warm your soul.

Another way to extend your gratitude is to do small favors for those in need of a little boost. Do you see your friend is overwhelmed and you have some time to lend to her? Make an offer to run an errand. Does a co-worker have a lot on their plate? Grab them a cup of coffee or some tea. Does your elderly neighbor need help? Make it known that they can ask you for help at anytime. Offer to rake their leaves or pull their weeds. Does someone you know need a hug? A simple hug can be so welcomed. Small acts of kindness can go a long way in the circle of life.

Reflect at the end of the day on what you are grateful for. Obviously it is easy to be grateful for the positive things in your life but try to see the silver lining in something that may seem negative. Doing this will turn that hurt or worry into a positive element in your life. Visualize how you see this concern turning positive. Take some time to reflect on what you want in life. Journaling the positive and negative aspects of your life are helpful in this type of reflection. Purchase a journal that is beautiful and inspiring, one that you will enjoy writing your thoughts in.

So, when you sit down this Thanksgiving, keep in mind how much you have to be thankful for, even if times are tough. A fun activity is to write down why you are thankful for each guest who arrives for dinner. Take small slips of paper and write down one thing for each guest. Have everyone else do the same. Cover your table with these slips of paper and read them throughout your dinner. This is a great way to make your Thanksgiving table really “thankful”!

Feeling thankful and grateful are great ways to warm your heart this holiday season. Small acts of kindness not only benefit the receiver but they also benefit the giver as well. Realizing that we are all in this journey together, gives us pause, and hope for a brighter future.


Jim Shore *Strutting Turkey* Figurine for Thanksgiving

Fraiche Maison Harvest Season Tablecloth 60 X 120 Inch