Many people are anxiously awaiting Thanksgiving, believing that they’ll settle down on Thanksgiving eve and, in quiet reflection, be thankful. What a wonderful picture it would be, sitting by a fireplace, a tummy full of food and surrounded by friends and family, reflecting on all that you’ve been blessed with. While a few people may experience thankfulness like receiving a special delivery from Netflix, my experience is that thankfulness is developed, on the inside and through struggle, investment and care and concern for others, rather than just a moment in time.
Thankfulness is develop in a following ways:
1. Loving and Serving Others. Volunteer your time, serve others who are in need. Provide food and meals for those you know who are hungry and in need, or call an elderly friend or family member and schedule a visit to sit and talk. Don’t serve with any agenda other than to put others first.
2. Verbally praise and encourage those who are lonely, hurting and discouraged. If you’re goal is to encourage others, you’ll be surprised how many people you’ll notice in your day that are in need of words of praise, who need to be lifted up. The holidays aren’t any exception. In fact, they’re more stressful for many, so look for ways to say something nice, lighten someone’s burden. My mentor Fulton Buntain used to always tell me, “everyone you meet is carrying a burden”. I believe that’s true.
3. Look for Blessings. As we near Thanksgiving, and every day, look for the little ways that life is rewarding, sweet, and pleasant. Don’t just look at the challenges, but savor the special events, no matter who small, and be thankful. You’ll be amazed at how many little blessings there are in each day, even a “bad day”, when you begin to look and search for the tiny encouragements.
Don’t just wait for Thankfulness to arrive like a delivery from a stork, go out and develop it.
David Curry
