It's Time to Give Thanks

I don't know about you but I have had one hard year.

I am in that place in my life where I have to reinvent myself. I moved to a location where I do not know anyone because I felt it was time to start over. I have had to work in areas that I haven't before. I have to look for a house for me to live in. And I need to find out just what my life will look like moving forward.

Sound familiar? I know I am not alone. And as I have spent time thinking and reflecting I realize something that is burning inside of me;

I need to be thankful; very thankful.

It is so easy to get focused on all the things in your life that are not going right. The family is in disarray, your children hardly speak to you, your job is gone, you are not saving enough for retirement and the list goes on and on.

Yet even in the midst of all of that, there is still so much to be thankful for. Consider;

1) You got up this morning. You could have passed away in your sleep but instead you are facing another day. Each day is filled with both promise and possibility. Embrace it.

2) You are in your right mind. You can remember things and you c

an plan new things. Being in control of your mental faculties is a blessing. Entertain it.

3) You get to choose what you will be doing the rest of the day. There may be places you need to be but you still have the power of choice. You can choose to be happy or sad. You can choose to smile or sigh. Today is yours. Encourage yourself.

4) You get to reflect. Focus on what is right with the world. Yes, we have wars, bombings, terrorist attacks, changing weather patterns, hungry people and lonely hearts. But there is also sunshine every morning; birds that sing for breakfast; people who you meet who still smile at you; and some of us have people who love us, care for us and are there for us.

It is so easy to complain. But the joy of living comes when we choose instead to sing praises. Put on some music that makes you pat your feet; close your eyes and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving.

Life is too short to live beneath a load of problems. Look up! Change is always coming.