Giving Thanks

Lets be honest, the two things that go through anyone's mind when Thanksgiving holiday comes around is: 1. Food and eating too much 2. Black Friday. I dont care who you are, I know those were the first things that went through your mind, so dont try to deny it.
Even though these two things are extremely important, I hope that everyone takes at least 5 minutes to ponder the significance of this holiday. 5 minutes is all you really need, and if it goes longer than 5 minutes, good! You are now putting more effort into the thought of this holiday.

They say that if you wake up every morning and think about everything you are grateful for at the beginning of your day, your so-so attitude turns up a notch to a more postitive attitude. Positive attitudes can change the view of your whole day. Bad attitudes = shitty days because with bad attitudes, obviously everyone is out to get you, right? Positive attitudes = reasoning for things working out the way that they do, and whether good or bad, you accept what going on around you with some possible optimism.
{Unless you would rather stress about money, holiday weight gain, what-to-get-who, and how you are gonna return that present without them knowing... this little write-up isnt for you.}

Do all of us get out of bed in the morning and think about gratitude as we prepare ourselves for another work day? I highly doubt it. So, luckily we have this one day a year holiday specifically created for giving thanks to everything we appreciate in our lives. Whether you write them down in a notebook, publicly announce it on your facebook, or think about it while in solitude, you have now put purpose into the holiday. And I guarantee you feel great afterward too! You think about people differently, but in a good way. Whether religious or not, there is some sort of spiritual feeling that follows. For me, I get very emotional. You dont see me shed tears very often, but when you realize how much people care for you, and you think about why you are grateful to have them in your lives, those emotions just start flying!

Now that you have taken your 5 minutes {or longer} to think about all these amazing things in your life, did you change your mind about what you want to get them for Christmas? Maybe something a little more heartfelt? Maybe something a little more expensive than what you wanted to spend, but has a little bit more meaning for that certain someone, so who cares? I have always wondered why they would put Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving, haven't you? It all makes perfect sense to me now! Those retail people are ever so sneaky! ha ha, just kidding!

Whether it's the amazing food your family creates for the holiday, or the girls Black Friday shopping spree, take time to think about the people around you who made a difference in your life, the small things that you have the others may not, and the achievements you have made, whether big or small, that make you proud. Its a sure way to brighten up your day, or your holiday; maybe your week or month; possibly even your year! Depending on how often you choose to take your "5 Minutes of Gratitude". I figure, I have the time every morning while blow-drying my hair and applying my make up to think about what & who I appreciate in my life. {they call it multi-tasking} Why not attempt to have the happiness and positive attitude everyday, instead of sparatically through out the year?

I challenge everyone to do the same. Test it out for a week, see how it goes.
Thank you!