Taking time to think about what we are blessed to have often helps us to cope better with the frustrations in life. When I talk to friends or family members or go on Facebook to look at posts conversations almost always are based around things that bother us. I understand how this goes, and I know that we need to express our frustrations.
When one of my kids does something really rascally, or when one appliance breaks, or one small part of the car malfunctions, or when I get a small ache or pain in my body, it consumes my attention. It seems that for most of the year we focus 99% of my attention on the small percent of my life that is not going well.
Here is a fictional conversation that might sound somewhat familiar.
“Hi, how are you doing?”
“Not so well. Today the weather got cold and I had to scrape off the windows of my car.”
How many times in my life do I focus so much on the ‘scrape off the windows’ that I forget to think about the things I should be grateful for. I have a working car, or I have a job to go to.
What is the solution to this? I don’t know. But I’m sure part of the solution is to take time and think about what we are grateful for, and now is a wonderful time of year to do that.
Thanksgiving: The time to give thanks.
So take some time today and through the Thanksgiving season and think about what you are grateful for. Really concentrate on some of the greatest blessings in your life and the next time someone asks you how you’re doing blow their socks off!
How am I doing?
“I’m better than ever! I have the best family I could ever wish for. My wife is my best friend. My daughter reads more books in a week than I read in Middle school. My oldest son can remember details about animals that would blow you away! I can’t even understand how, but in kindergarten one of my autistic sons, who can’t talk, is reading full sentences. Our youngest son has the best laugh when I tickle him. I have food on the table. I have a job I enjoy almost every day. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and is watching over me and my family.”
Happy Thanksgiving!