Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com
Thankfulness
By Carrice A. Quinnie
The holidays are fast approaching, the first being Thanksgiving.
Last night, I was thinking what approach I would have for this posting. I thought about my life and how thankful I was to be resting in a comfortable bed, with fabric softened sheets. I’m alive and all my children and the majority of my family members are in good health. I’m thankful now. I don’t have to wait for a holiday to show “thankfulness.” Matter fact, every day I say thank you before getting out of bed. Not for any particular reason, just because I know it could be far worse. I’m thankful for today and for the days past and the days to come.
Yes, Thanksgiving is a worldwide holiday of “thankfulness,” but how do you show “thankfulness” the other 364 days of the year?
I have to consistently remind my children to be thankful for what we have. In America, sometimes, we can become consumed with materialism and the greed from more. We have become a generation of consumers. We’re never content or thankful, just in a competitive race for more stuff; the newest phone, the most expensive car. We see other people’s lives and then we think their life is better. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it! Be thankful for what you have!
How do you show “thankfulness?” Do you share or do you hoard and only try to accumulate more stuff?
Do you complain all day long about what you don’t have or do you appreciate and show joy for your life and current situation? Are you a good wife, husband, mother and father? Or do you look at your family and children as a prison sentence? Every opportunity you get, you’re out! Never spending quality time together as a family… I know as parents we have a hard job and we need time alone, but find a balance.
I know I ask a lot of questions, but the year is almost over and we need to start being honest with ourselves.
Children do what they see, not what they hear! What examples are we showing our children about being thankful?
I’ve made a conscious effort to make each day – a good day. From the moment I rise in the morning, I say thank you. Thank you for my life and my family. This little speech makes a big difference; it sets a positive intention for my day.
I can tell the people that live in continuous regret and un-thankfulness. They walk around with a blank, empty stare. They never connect to anything or anyone. You can have a conversation with them and they look right through you, never making eye contact. Do you know people like this or are you that person? They’re always thinking about themselves. What they don’t have or what went wrong. (I honestly want to slap them out of it, but that would be assault. So I write blogs instead!)
Let go of the past. Be thankful for the present and make necessary changes to in hopes for a better tomorrow.
Be thankful every day; don’t pretend on Thanksgiving over an elaborate meal. Be thankful – spend a night with your family. Be thankful – giving away lightly used clothes and shoes to the less fortunate and get involved with your community. Be thankful – give love to yourself and others. Do something special for yourself at least once a month.
We have two more months in 2015, have you shown “thankfulness” this year? What examples have you been for your families? I know I can do better. So let’s all do better by being thankful, not just mindless consumers for more! Spend time with your family when possible. The outside world can wait! If there is no peace in the home, create the peace. Be thankful for another day to make things right, with your husband or your wife. Be thankful for having the ability to feed your family. Be thankful for breathing! Some people have to breathe with the aid of machines! Believe me, some of us are living good lives, but we don’t even know it, because we’re always complaining and wanting more and more. Be the example of “thankfulness” and watch it spread through your homes and then into other parts of your lives.
I vow to have more family gathers in 2016! So, these last two months of 2015 show “thankfulness” every day! Start your day with a thankful intention and then spread it around.
Lovingly,
Carrice
Carrice Quinnie is native of Columbus, Ga. She is a divorced, single-mother of three girls. By increasing in her own self-awareness, Carrice hopes her words will bring enlightenment and healing to other women and their families.
Related Content:
- Practicing Gratitude: How to Give Thanks this Holiday Season and All Year Round
- Teaching Kids Gratitude
