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?

How can we look at each other and not see that at heart we’re the same?

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:

How can we forget what true success is?

(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!