Give Thanks
- Jamelle Sanders
- Nov 20, 2017
- 4 min read
As I reflect on last week, I am overwhelmed with joy and excitement. It is so awesome to see answers to prayers show up in your life. There are some things that you have to contend to possess. Last week I was able to see the fruit of a lot of prayer and contending. It is hard to believe that in just a few days we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Hopefully, you and your family are prepared and excited about the big day. Holidays are always a special time and I hope it is significant for you. Thanksgiving is such an amazing time of the year and I am so grateful for everything that has happened in 2017. I can truly say that it has been a phenomenal year!
Are you thankful? Have you cultivated a heart of gratitude? Do you make gratitude a way of life? Unfortunately, most people wait for a holiday to be grateful. Personally, I can think of a million things in my own life to be grateful for. Every holiday season reminds me of the brevity of life. As I look around the table, I am reminded of all the family members that are no longer here. I do not get sad or depressed but I do miss their presence at the Thanksgiving table. More importantly, this reminds me to cherish each moment and live each day like it is my last. We should never take for granted that the same family members will be sitting at the table next year. Life is filled with winding turns and turbulence. However, when you are thankful you can be stabilized even in the midst of great storms. Being thankful is a decision that you have to make. The world is filled with enough toxicity and negativity. I choose to bring light, love, and gratefulness into every environment. Gratitude is a powerful force that can shift any atmosphere.
Years ago, I was going through a very difficult time in my life. I was facing a myriad of personal and economic challenges. I felt like I was at my breaking point and I did not know how much more I could take. The more I thought about the situation the more stressed I became. Finally, I made a decision to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Honestly, it did not seem like I had a lot to be grateful for. I was facing battles on every front and it seemed like the pressure was intensifying. However, as I started to write out my daily gratitude list I was amazed. I noticed an immediate shift in my mindset and my emotions. More importantly, I noticed that my attitude was adjusted the more I wrote down the things that I was grateful for. I was convinced that being grateful changed my physiology and psychology. Gratitude has a way of shifting your perspective and causing you to live more present. It is impossible to be grateful and depressed at the same time. Gratitude shapes your attitude and shifts your actions. It fundamentally changes your behavior and produces a profound appreciation for the gift of life.
What I have shared with you this far is powerful. However, the lessons I learned about gratitude go much deeper. You have to understand that Thanksgiving is not just a date on a calendar. It is a daily choice that you have to make every single day of your life. Also, it is a consciousness that you must live from every single day of your life. If you want to live your greatest life, you must first establish a foundation of gratitude. I stopped seeing Thanksgiving as a day. Instead, I made a decision that gratitude would be a way of life for me. I view everything through the lens of gratitude. I have learned to appreciate the mountaintop and valley experiences of my life. I have learned to appreciate adversity and even disappointment. I realize that life is a gift and each moment is pregnant with opportunities for me to grow, evolve and become my greatest self. I will deny no experience the opportunity to train me for greatness.
In closing, I know that the world has made Thanksgiving about big dinners and all the trimmings. However, I want you to remember what Thanksgiving is really about. It is not about the turkey, dressing and other dishes. Thanksgiving is a heart posture of those that have come to understand and appreciate the beautiful gift of life. So before you enjoy all of the great food pause for a moment to be grateful. Do not allow a culture of ungratefulness to be created in your life. Stop complaining and grumbling about everything that is wrong with your life. Instead, choose to cultivate a heart of gratitude. You may not be grateful for everything that has happened in your life. However, you can always be grateful in everything. It is making the decision to be immovable in every moment. Gratitude is living in a perpetual flow of joy. Gratefulness flows from the heart of those that have awakened to amazing grace. I am grateful because everything I am is by the grace of God. I am grateful that God has given me a voice that allows me to empower people all around the world. I am grateful because I have learned to be content no matter what conditions arise in my life. In everything give thanks!
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