Giving Thanks

"As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget
that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words,
but to live by them."

Thanksgiving is just around the corner; it is only hours away, to be precise.

When you will gather around the table with family and friends, you will probably take turns expressing one thing, or more, you are grateful for this day, month, or year.

As you utter those words of gratitude, remember the ones JFK said and challenge yourself to show gratitude by doing something for someone. It does not have to be something big, but it should come from the heart.

Make it a whole family affair and let it last all year long, so that when the next Thanksgiving rolls around, there will be plenty of grateful thoughts for the experiences you had.

Challenge each person around the table to do a small act of service for someone. It can start within the home and progress to include people you see every day all the way to perfect strangers.

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
1. if you are grateful for your health, show your gratitude by visiting someone who is not well.
2. if you are grateful for the food you always have on your table, show your gratitude by preparing a meal and bringing it to someone who does not have this blessing.
3. if you are grateful for your car, which always takes you from place to place, show your gratitude by running an errand for someone who does not have a way to get from point A to point B.

You get the idea.

Just begin by thinking of all the things you are grateful to have and then find a way to express your gratitude with small acts of service towards those you see.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember that it does not need to be Thanksgiving Day to show your grateful hearts in words and deeds!