A Season of Thankfulness
During my evening jog yesterday, I uncharacteristically stopped near the entry way of my neighborhood. The sun had just begun to rest it’s eyes behind the horizon off to the west. A cool breeze swept past me, causing an beautiful assortment of reddish and brown leaves to dance against the pavement. I found myself completely in tune with nature and also in awe of it. “This time of the year is so beautiful,” I said to myself, completely mesmerized by the moment. All around me were trees that were once green and lush. Each of them were now extraordinary representations of life’s natural evolution. There’s something about the changing of seasons that causes me to really think about my own life.
As each of us begin to prepare our homes for a wonderful time of togetherness, good eating, laughter and love, I’ve chosen to write this piece to highlight how wonderful it is to be alive today. To be able to breath, talk and touch the ones we love is such a blessing that can be easily overlooked. With just a few weeks left in the year, we are inching closer to another chapter of our lives. While this year may not have been perfect, and it will never be, I am encouraged by just how amazing our lives can really become when we choose to be thankful. There’s always a brighter side of things. It’s just a matter of adjusting our perspective. An attitude of gratitude is how we combat feelings of discouragement and disappointment.
What are you thankful for this year? That’s a question I love to ask my friends and family often. I love going around the table and listening to everyone share. Faces light up with smiles as they dig deep within to express all of the things that'd made the year that much more special. Sometimes our proudest moments can end up being buried inside due to all the distractions we face on a daily basis.
I just walked into the kitchen and took a whiff of that soulful cooking and smiled myself. Today, I wish each and everyone of you a blessed holiday. Don’t forget to thank the wonderful people who’ve been glued to the kitchen for the last twenty-four hours. I laugh to myself, when I think about my mother and how she’d put on some good music and just go for it in the kitchen. Good memories are one of my favorite things be thankful for. There ain’t nothing like food made with love. I’ll always miss her for that.
May we each remember to be thankful for the lives we live and to be thankful for all of the wonderful blessings that are coming our way. Take a moment to reflect and spread love to those you share your life with. Call someone that maybe hasn’t heard from you in awhile. Share a kind word with a stranger. There are so many people who feel alone during the holiday season, or may have recently lost a loved one. I know how difficult it can be on these days myself. I send love and peace to you today if that’s you. Things will get better.
Happy Thanksgiving and may each of your homes overflow with love, togetherness and gratitude.