The Power of Thanksgiving!
- Jamelle Sanders
- Nov 21, 2016
- 4 min read
As I write to you, we are coming up on one of my favorite holidays of the year. Unless you are in a cave I am sure that you know that Thanksgiving is only a few days away. My family is busy preparing for a big feast, lots of fun and the awesome fellowship that we enjoy every year with family. I hope that you have big plans for Thanksgiving and that you get to spend it with your loved ones. When we think of Thanksgiving we immediately think of the food and the traditions. However, I am on a mission to shift perspectives about this important holiday. I do not want you to get caught up in the festivities. I want you to understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving. I hope you will embrace the power of this piece and share it with someone this week.
Are you excited about Thanksgiving? What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? Have you discovered the power of Thanksgiving? I am excited about Thanksgiving but my excitement is different than most people. While I will admit that I do enjoy the great food, the thing I have always enjoyed about Thanksgiving is being surrounded by my family. The love, warmth and strength that is drawn from being around my loved ones is priceless. In fact, being surrounded by my family means much more to me than the food and festivities that surround the Thanksgiving holiday. I believe we are living in a time where the family is under attack. Growing up my parents made it their duty to keep our family tight. I have so many great memories of sitting at the dinner table and having quality time and great discussions with my family. In our technology obsessed culture the value of family has been diminished. Families no longer talk, connect or even have dinner together anymore. Everyone is in their own world and we have become so self-absorbed. Unfortunately, until something tragic happens we forget about the value of family. However, I believe that we will see a major shift in the world. Families are getting ready to be strengthened and united like never before. Another thing that bothers me is the vivid display of ungratefulness that I see in the world today. I have had the pleasure of working with people from all corners of the globe and all walks of life. Often these individuals have lived in some of the most horrid conditions but they are so thankful. Then I see Americans that complain about everything in their lives. If you are constantly complaining it is the proof that you have lost sight of how blessed you truly are. You may not have everything you want; however, learn how to be appreciative that you have what you need. It is time for Thanksgiving to move from just a date on the calendar to a consciousness that you live from. In fact, I want gratitude to become a lifestyle for you. Everybody talks about my success and my accomplishments. I am thankful for everything that God has allowed me to achieve in my life. However, one of the anchors of my success is gratitude. I know what it feels like to have nothing and I know what it feels like to be blessed. No matter what condition my life was in I have always made the decision to maintain a state of gratitude. Gratitude is an attitude that attracts unlimited abundance into every area of your life. Gratitude causes you to realize how blessed you are. Just think about how much you have and how far you have come from. Think of the people in the world that have less than you but are so grateful and appreciative. Gratitude breaks selfishness off of you and produces selflessness within you. Gratitude causes you to live in a constant state of appreciation no matter the circumstances in your life. When you develop a lifestyle of gratitude it transforms the heart and how you see the world. The reward of gratitude is always greater fulfillment.
In closing, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. More importantly, I hope you understand the importance of giving thanks every single day of your life. Before you have your Thanksgiving meal I want you to do one thing for me. Take a moment and reflect on the goodness of God in your life. Express gratitude for all your blessings and God’s faithfulness to you over the years. You may not be thankful for everything but you can learn to be thankful in everything. My life has been filled with valleys and mountains. However, through all of my adversity I have learned to appreciate everything in my life. No experience is insignificant. My grateful heart has produced a perspective about life that makes me unshakable. This year I want you to truly discover the power of Thanksgiving!
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