He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. - Epictetus

I recently re-read the story of the Pilgrims and their journey to America.  I was reminded that Cape Cod was not in their original plan. They were originally headed further to the South along the Atlantic coast-storms prevented them from reaching their original destination.  Instead, they ended up near Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

I bet they were dismayed and discouraged.  Things did not go as planned.  They sacrificed so much along their journey and fought through so many challenges, determined to turn dreams into reality, only to find themselves in a different place.  This was not at all what they had hoped for.

They didn't give up or turn back in defeat.  They collected themselves and paused to reset their hopes and dreams.  They gathered information about other options and moved ahead with courage, optimism and hope-on to Plymouth and on to the future in a new direction.  The next Fall, 1621, they gathered their family and friends together and celebrated the first harvest feast.  They weren't mourning unfulfilled dreams and hardships.  Instead, they were giving thanks for the blessings they had received.

Their gratitude was more than simple appreciation for a meal.  It was a spirit of thankfulness that came from deep inside and spilled over to each other.  They took into account their hardships and the uncertainties of the future. They chose to draw strength and hope as they celebrated the First Thanksgiving.

Here are some ideas for getting started on increasing our "thankfulness factor":

Be consistent:  Try to thank someone sincerely each day.

Help your family:  Kids tend to respond to visual cues.  Stick notes around the house to remind them of specific blessings.  Start dinner by asking each family member to recount one thing that made them grateful that day.

Be creative:  One family set up a bare, fake tree.  Over the course of a month, they added leaves on which they wrote the reasons why they felt grateful.  The small things make a difference.  Jot down a few things each day for which you're thankful.  Try to focus on the benevolence of others instead of on material gains.  Keep it fresh.  The biggest benefits come from reflecting on the variety of good things in your life.

Pen your gratitude:  Write a letter to a person who's been especially kind to you-family, friend or acquaintance-but whom you've never properly thanked.

Having trouble getting started?   Find someone else who wants to develop an attitude of gratitude--like a workout partner.  Set up a time to read each other your lists, or treat your list like a life-enhancing game in which you challenge yourself to find thoughts that will lift you out of a bad mood.

Thanksgiving is our turn to pause from the challenges and busyness of life to promote our own health and well-being as we reflect on the blessings that are ours.  May we take time, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but each and every day.

If we can help you keep things in perspective,

please contact Eric Nordquist or one of our other therapists.   

248-244-8644 

For More Information  

Call 248-244-8644 or 586-268-6712  

or 

Visit our website www.perspectivesoftroy.com