Happy Thanksgiving! On this Thanksgiving break, I’m back at it – writing about one of my favorite things, GRATITUDE!! In a Psychology Today article, “How Gratitude Combats Depression”, it says, “Scientists say that…[gratitude experiences change our]…thinking from negative outcomes to positive ones, elicit a surge of feel good hormones like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, and build enduring personal connections.” Knowing these benefits, this is why I write today. Knowing these benefits, these are only a few reasons why I choose to have an attitude of gratitude that I act upon.
If you are Christian, God absolutely calls us to be grateful, which, according to science, can lead to joy, an immediate byproduct of gratitude. The Bible is very clear about how we, as Christians, should act and think in gratitude ALL. OF. THE. TIME. We are to:
“[g]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)”
and “[e]nter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! (Psalm 100:1-5),”
and “…[g]ive thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107:1)”.
The list of scriptures about gratitude appears to be endless, which is a good thing, because we need daily reminders for how we are to live in gratitude, especially when this world of ours often swirls around and around in chaos and despair. When the world lives in darkness, we must be the light that shows how living a life of gratitude transforms hearts and minds. So, with that thought in mind, here are a few things that I am grateful for. I’m thankful for a whole heckuva lot because there is too much good in this world to exhibit anything less than an attitude of gratitude.
In Sickness and in Health
I’m grateful in sickness and in health – for me, for my family, for my friends. Over the last two years, our family has experienced severe, extreme menopause, which you can read about here, and an open heart surgery, both of which took us by totally by surprise. I am grateful that we survived both severe, extreme menopause and quintuple bypass surgery with aeration of the heart (gulp, gulp, gulp, whew!), and I wouldn’t change a thing if I could change the past. During both experiences, we had the opportunity to grow our faith through perseverance, grow our relationships in joy and service with friends and family, and make changes in our lives that make us better equipped to experience life to the fullest – as God intended for us – in his world.
Some of our most memorable experiences – and our most joy-filled moments – have occurred in our struggles as we persevered under challenging circumstances. In these experiences, we found our way. We found strength, comfort, peace, and laughter during our hardships, and we made a conscious effort to pass those things on to others during each crisis. We chose joy and gratitude because we quickly realized as we were reminded – up front and center – that life is too short to experience it any other way.
In Our Crazy World (Reminder: God’s Creation)
In this crazy world we live in, I am so grateful to be an American, even when our country struggles.
I can’t imagine living in another country that
• Doesn’t allow us to have open discourse about the issues that matter to us.
• Doesn’t allow us to vote for whomever we want.
• Doesn’t allow us to be affiliated with the political party of our choosing.
• Doesn’t allow freedom of the press.
• Doesn’t allow us the freedom to choose our religious affiliation.
• Doesn’t allow us the freedom to act in wisdom or foolishness, whether others agree or not.
• Doesn’t allow women to drive, work, stay home, get educated, speak out in public, run for office, etc.
• Doesn’t allow us to choose our professions, education path, talents, etc.
• Doesn’t allow us to keep our money and profits to better ourselves and our society as we see fit.
Yes, our country struggles, and we must respectfully work together to make our country better so that each citizen feels valued and protected here. But, I am so grateful that we have that chance. And, I want the best for our entire world, and I will work towards making the whole world – God’s creation – better with gratitude and joy.
In the Simple Things
I am so grateful for the simple things – for the things that we take for granted everyday. I love
- a good movie that makes me feel all the feelz
- and salty snacks
- and sunshine
- and amazing books that cause you to lose track of time
- and the ability to walk, talk, and smart off (ha!)
- and singing, which is my favorite thing (“Elf” reference!)
- and traveling (Oh, how I love to travel!)
- and coloring books where I can make big strokes with really nice pencils
- and being outside for swimming, walking, looking, and lingering
- and wonderful, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth food that is meant to be savored
- and knick-knack toys that bring out the child in me
- and funny – and sometimes snarky – t-shirts
- bright, funky pants and shoes
- and coffee breaks
- and breaks, breaks, and breaks
The list could go on and on.
In Relationships
I am so thankful for the relationships that I have with my coworkers, friends, and family, and I am so, so grateful for the opportunity that I have to build new relationships with strangers who may cross my path.
I currently have the best coworkers – they get me, and I get them. We truly love each other, and it is a wonderful place to be – in relationship with them. But, here’s the thing. I’ve worked at many places, at many jobs, and I have always loved my coworkers, who have come from all different walks of life. All my life, I have been blessed to be surrounded by the best coworkers who are downright good to me and others, and I consider myself blessed – in gratitude – to be in their presence.
I have some wonderful friends. My friends make me laugh; they bring me joy; they tell me hard truths; they challenge me to think differently; they challenge me to be a better person. But, here’s the thing. I have always had friends who have done this for me. All my life, I have been blessed to be surrounded by the best friends who are downright good to me and others, and I consider myself blessed – in gratitude – to be in their presence.
I have the best family. I am part of the best family. In my best moments that have made them proud, and in my worst moments that have caused embarrassment or shame, they have always been here – right beside me through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the imperfection. In our relationship, they show love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Even in our imperfection, they stand as role models for who I want to be. All my life, I have been blessed to be surrounded by the best family who is downright good to me and others, and I consider myself blessed – in gratitude – to be in their presence.
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