Power of a THANKFUL Heart.

As I ponder thanksgiving weekend and this past year, I am again in awe of all of it’s blessings!  I am grateful for health, family, friends- both old and new and of coarse the Coiff!   Then there are certainly the things that we all seem to take for granted- clean water, warmth, shelter, the freedom to worship, and to vote with our dollar.  That last part was something I learned from a dear friend and mentor, Carol Macy.  She was the BEST so wise and caring, Carol is no longer with us.  Today I am grateful for those who have touched my life….like Carol.  Life is short and there are no guarantees for a tomorrow.  

I am grateful for protection-the kind that comes from “no’s” and closed doors, because I know in those moments that God had my back. We don’t often look at those situations in a positive light-we are programmed to see them as a negative. Instead, we should embrace the protection that is  provided in those situations.  If we are grateful, that means in all circumstances, not just in the ones we like!

Tonight, I am dancing with strobe lights while enjoying Sunday dinner with my peeps… blessed with a house FULL of LAUGHTER, LOVE, FRIENDS and MUSIC!  Take time to party with those you love!  Take time to relish!  Make the most of the rare moments of joy, they go by in the blink of an eye!  These are memories that I will tuck away for when the rain falls in life and there are more clouds than sun.  

I encourage you to incorporate this into your daily routine, not just during the holidays, but every day.

1. Begin a GRATITUDE JOURNAL!  Take time to DOCUMENT!!! There is far more that we are grateful for than we recognize. When we take time to sit and ponder-it becomes so abundantly clear and  provides us with the opportunity to look back and offer praise for the GOOD times!  It does not have to be elaborate, just list 3 things each day you are thankful for.
2. Take time for those you LOVE!  Man, if I were honest, I would tell you that TODAY I had no ambition.  I wanted to just check out with NETFLIX and not do a single thing.  But you know what?  I made a  CHOICE!  I love to cook for my family and friends and those are the most sacred, precious times that I have.  So I picked up the phone, called my besties and started cooking.  Needless to say, the strobe lights, music, my family, and friends led to the perfect ending to a weekend.  Sometimes you gotta JUST DO IT!!!!!
3. Take time to GIVE BACK!  Whether it is a smile, quick note or on a larger scale, acts of kindness are the way quickest way to find joy.  Be a Daymaker!

So , I leave you with this-

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.  Remember that what you now have was once among the things you hoped for.  

-Epicurus 

Thanksgiving pushes out complaint, anxiety & envy.

There is NO reason we can’t give THANKS everyday like we do on THANKSGIVING!  

XXOO 

Mar