Some people love the holidays, and some can’t wait for them to be over.
One way to not just get through the holidays but to maybe even enjoy them is to start by giving thanks. Two sayings you may have heard before are, “Things go better with thanks.” and “A thankful heart is a happy heart.” When we approach each day with a thankful attitude, you may see things starting to go better and smoother.
When we really think about it (and this year, you may have to think extra long and hard) we all have a lot to be thankful for. All too often, however, we can get wrapped up in our problems and let them take over all our thoughts. You may have the same negative thoughts running over and over in your mind.
Have you ever had a little rock in your shoe? It’s one of the most irritating things that can happen, and when I’m walking it is hard to keep my mind on anything but that freaking little rock. How the heck did it get in my shoe anyway? We could be walking through the most beautiful lush rainforest surrounded by majestic waterfalls but all we can think about is that little rock!
When we get wrapped up in our problems, it’s the same type of thing. We get so focused on what are usually tiny little problems that we miss all the good things that are going on around us.
It’s time to sit down, take off your shoe and chuck that little rock as far as you can. It’s time to give thanks.
You might be sitting there right now thinking, “You have no clue how hard my life is. I can’t think of anything to be thankful for.” You’re right. We don’t have a clue about your life. We do know we all have our own problems to deal with, but we also have our own things to be thankful for. Have you been healthy? Do you have a job? Did your car start? Do you have a car? If not, do you have ways to get you where you need to go? Did you wake up today? Can you read? These are all kinds of things to focus on and be thankful for. Unfortunately, we usually take them all for granted.
This reminds me of a powerful scene from the movie “Apollo 13.” It was the point in the mission where one thing after another was breaking down. Their gauges were failing. The ship was losing power. The astronauts were beginning to panic. In their communications with mission control the astronauts kept telling the NASA engineers on the ground “this isn’t working and that isn’t working.” Then one of the chief engineers said, “Hey - tell us what IS working.” Once they were able to shift their focus and look for what was still good, the engineers were able to figure out a solution that saved the mission and the lives of those astronauts.
When everything around you seems to be falling apart, it’s time to look for what isn’t. And then say Thanks.
If you are having a tough time this holiday season, we’re here for you. You can give us a call at 234-466-6274 or head over to the contact page and fill out the form to send an email or schedule an appointment. We are thankful for you, and want to help however we can.