It is that time of the year, Thanksgiving countdown! Facebook is full of "thankful" challenges; people are posting pictures and comments. When you are on social media it looks like Christmas hasn't taken over or ruined the Thanksgiving holiday as it does in the stores. Psychological studies prove that by intentionally writing down what you are thankful for it helps you become more thankful. And so this month we are reminded that blessings abound!
But I am also reminded that negativity abounds; angry fills and sadness consumes. I am also reminded that it takes only one bad moment to ruin a day. It takes only one bad experience to ruin more.
Yet, when we are in a relationship with God; negativity should not fill, angry should not overwhelm, sadness should not consume and bad moments should not take away from God's grace. Instead, in those moments we should search for the Spirit; allow grace to fill us, be overcome by forgiveness, and let joy find a way to brighten the moment. We should allow God's love to overwhelm and let the Spirit speak to the abundance around us.
However we can only do this when and if we train ourselves to notice, see, exclaim and rejoice in the true blessings that do surround us. The only way we train to live into the thankfulness and have joyful hearts is if we actually practice this. If it takes us one time a year, a day that is dedicated to this then so be it. But really, truly, thanksgiving should remind us that we should be doing this every day of the year. And not just for ourselves and our lives but we should be rejoicing in those around us and the blessings that abound in their lives.
This thanksgiving, challenge yourself to keep a thankful journal and keep a list of the wonderful things that abound in your life; fill your world and make your life worth living.
