A Very Small Heart with a Lot of Gratitude

It’s a holiday week here in the U.S. Thanksgiving is coming! Some Americans believe Thanksgiving is celebrated to remember the Pilgrims or Plymouth Rock, or simply to stuff a turkey and oneself. Being small, being human and getting caught up in things we think we should do, we often forget what’s important. Gratitude is what it’s all about.

What Thanksgiving is About

Thanksgiving isn’t about Pilgrims, or a rock, or a turkey.  It’s not just about Americans.  In Korea, the harvest and thanksgiving celebration, Ch’usok, is in October. It’s called Thai Pongal in India, and it’s the Yam Festival in Ghana and Nigeria. Where ever you are, whenever and however you celebrate, be glad that this day (or one like it) comes around every year. It’s a reminder to give thanks, to enrich your life with gratitude.

How can we look at our world and not see miracles?

Sunset with gratitude quote by Albert Einstein

How can we look at each other and not see that at heart we’re the same?
Photo of child laughing, with quote Be grateful for those who make you happy from Proust

How can we be grateful for all the misery and strife in the world?

I hope and pray that peace and plenty prevail, but in the meantime, here’s a bit of advice from someone who saw plenty of strife in her short lifetime:

Quote from Anne Frank about the beauty that remains over a photo of a peace rose

How can we forget what true success is?
Photo of mountain peek with Danny Thomas quote

(Photo credits: sunset by Matthew Stinar; child laughing by cheriejoyful; peace rose by Vicky TH; Mt Holdsworth by Brenda Anderson)

Someone Who Does for Others

I’d like to introduce you to someone who lives by this philosophy, Louise Behiel. By her own description, Louise is ‘busier than a one-handed wallpaper hanger.” She is the manager of Interpretation and Translation for the Health Authority in Alberta, Canada, has a private practice as a psychotherapist, is a grandmother, mother, and writes romance novels. Read about how she juggles these parts of her life here.  Whew!  Just thinking about all she does exhausts me!  Yet, with all she has to do, Louise is one of my most constant supporters, and I know she takes the time out of her very busy schedule to support many others. She gives of herself, her time. There is no more precious gift. Thank you, Louise. To help me thank her, please join the conversation on her blog, you won’t regret it.  And read her novels, Family Ties, and Family Lies.

Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart,it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude. ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Louise isn’t the only person whose support has meant so much to me. My cup overflows with gratitude to my family, my friends, and each and every one of you who read this blog. I deeply grateful that you feel the words I write are worth your most precious gift to me, your time.  Thank you.

If your heart is full, please share a moment of gratitude in the comments below.  

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

 

10 comments

  1. I’m grateful for WANA friends like you, Lynette. Louise is astonishing, and I’m thankful for her support.

    In this lead-up to Thanksgiving, it’s easy to get caught up with cooking, baking, and cleaning tasks and tell ourselves we’ll give thanks on the big day. Really, though, every day’s a big one. Thanks for the reminder.

    1. Thanks for sharing your gratitude, Pat. Yes, Louise is pretty terrific, but I think you’re pretty astonishing, too. I am grateful for WANA friends also. It has been such an amazing year plus. You’re right. Every day’s a big one.

      You have been such a terrific supporter, Pat. Thank you.

  2. That Einstein quote is one of my favorites. I’m thankful I get to spend this week with my family. And for the opportunity to be a part of the WANA community with friends like you!
    Happy Thanksgiving Lynette. 🙂

    1. Yeah, I obviously like that Einstein quote, too. 🙂 I’m so glad you get to spend time with your family.

      You have also been a huge supporter of mine. Thank you so much for everything. May you have a Thanksgiving full of blessings!

  3. Thanks, Lynette, for all those great quotes that remind us to be grateful for the good things in our lives. This year I wll be saying a special prayer of thanksgiving that I found the WANA’s, such a marvelous and supportive bunch of people!

  4. Lynnette, I am speechless. thank you for your kind words. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life…Ironically, life is super crazy right now. stressful stuff is happening and I have no control over much of anything. So your words are more important than you can know. They’ve helped me over a big hump. I’ll post about it in time, but for right now, please accept my heartfelt gratitude.

    May your celebration of gratitude be everything it can possibly be. God Bless

    1. I’m sorry to hear you’re having a tough time, Louise. I’m the one grateful to you, for all the support you’ve shown me. I hope the stressful stuff in your life abates real soon. Take care of yourself!

  5. Others have already said it better, but it bears repeating: I’m so thankful for all of my wonderful writer friends like you and Louise, and hmmm, everyone who’s already commented! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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