Be Grateful

2020 has certainly been one of the craziest years that most anyone has ever experienced. And that’s putting it mildly. This year will be one that future generations read about and wonder what it was like to live in such a time. It has been hard for many people throughout the world.

As Thanksgiving is upon us, I’d highly recommend that you take a step back and reflect on the things that make life good. There is a lot of negativity in the world, and there are a lot of things to dislike. It’s really easy to focus on the negative thoughts and feelings. Social media, news, and other media will generally lead to seeing the bad in the world. Take a break from them, and spend time with your family and friends.

As a parent, there is usually at least one thing that you can be grateful for - your child. If you have multiple children, then you have a few things to be thankful for. While your child can be tough and exhausting, they can still bring huge amounts of joy into our lives. During the Thanksgiving holiday, step back and think about the times when your child makes you happy. Make sure to tell them thank you, and that you love them. You won’t regret expressing your gratitude and love to your kids.

For some, that may be all that they believe that they have to be grateful for. If so, that is better than many who have even less. However, for most people there are other people and things in their lives that they can be grateful for. Take a paper and pencil and list out as many things that you are grateful for besides your kids. Perhaps you have other family members that you love, perhaps a partner or spouse. Or perhaps you have a job that takes care of you. Perhaps you have a pet that you love. Whatever it is, make a note of it.

Take your list, and put it somewhere that you can see it on a regular basis. Keep it up to date. Thanksgiving isn’t the only time of the year that we should be grateful for the things that we have in our life. When life is tough, look at your list and remind yourself that life isn’t all bad. There are plenty of good times and things that help us in our lives.

If you’re able to spend time with your family on Thanksgiving, be sure to enjoy it, and be grateful for it. Many people have to work, are serving in the military, or have other obligations that keep them away from home this time of year. Just the fact that you can spend time with your loved ones is something that should not take for granted.

Life is tough sometimes. Try to focus on the things that bring joy to your life, and that make you a better person. Give hugs to your family and friends, and be grateful for the things you have in your life.