Pausing For Thanks Giving

The daily note for Y is all ready, but I'm going to save it for tomorrow. One reason is that it really seems to fit better and for another, I just want to reflect on my blessings today.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

This is the quote I put on the board at Curves the other day. It reminded me a practice that Nelson and I have developed over the years. One of us will say something about how we were touched or impressed by someone, or how much we appreciate them, or something like that. Then the receiver of that info will look at the other and ask: so did you tell them that? This will typically result in a card, letter, email, or phone call. Take the gratitude directly to the place it needs to go.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

I was looking for the first quote when I found this one this morning and I really like it. I read lots of Thanksgiving and gratitude quotes this week and I have to put this one at the top of the list. I went through a few moments of venting frustration yesterday. I felt unappreciated and taken advantage of. After I let off some of the steam I was able to see how easy it was to get sidetracked and slip down the hill into self-pity. As soon as I shifted my vision back onto what I had and how thankful I am for it, I felt myself becoming clear and at peace. Things may not be the way I want them, but I have so much. There's no sense in whining and pining for what I don't have. What I have is more blessing than I deserve.

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser

The irony of me using a quote by Purkiser today will be missed by most, but that's okay. The quote is good and a great springboard for me to move not just through this day but into all my tomorrows. What will you do with your blessings today?