Thanksgiving. Does it have a different meaning for everyone? Does everyone give thanks on this holiday? I would bet not, although I wish that was not true. What I do think is that it is important to recognize what you are thankful for in your life every day, not just on Thanksgiving. Everyone has problems; everyone has something in their life they wish they could change. Maybe we should just seek out at least one good thing in our lives and be thankful for it, EVERY DAY!
Life is short and unpredictable. It can be taken away from you in a moment's notice. Instead of focusing on the negatives of life, why not be thankful for what you do have? Many years ago I started a list of things that I am most thankful for. (Things have been removed or added throughout the years.) On the days I feel sad, challenged, or defeated, I look at my list. Doing this often puts everything in perspective and makes me remember what is really important in life.
It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and to get lost in the craziness of life, but try to take a moment each day to be thankful. Be thankful that you’re alive. Be thankful for your job, your family, your passion for a hobby that makes you happy. Be thankful for sunny days, for the beauty of changing seasons, for your favorite food. Be thankful for your health, for your freedom, for your strengths and weaknesses. Be thankful for the little things, as well as the big things. This is obviously easier said than done, especially on a day-to-day basis, but it is certainly a good thing to try. Even on my roughest days, there is always something I can find in my life to be thankful for.
So, in spirit of Thanksgiving, I hope everyone can find something to be thankful for. But especially I hope that everyone can find something to be thankful for every day after today. I hope you and yours have a happy and safe holiday!!
Written by: Lindsey Balcazar is West Michigan Woman magazine's sales representative.
