Thanksgiving Grace

Grace by John Holyfield

A day goes by and another one arrives, time moves forward as we pass through it. In your own way, you find ways to be thankful for what you have, for who is in your life and for what will be. Here in America, we celebrate the harvest time with a thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving in Canada is much the same as it is in the United States; however, it is observed on a different day - the second Monday in October. Other parts of the world and different cultures celebrate thanksgiving. Although they are different from our own American tradition each of them revolve around giving thanks for life's blessings and the celebration of the autumn harvest.

In Great Britain, the Harvest festival is held late September or October. Jewish people celebrate Sukkot, a festival of thanksgiving that lasts nine days. The Festival of the Autumn Moon (Zhong Qui), is the Chinese celebration of thanksgiving. In southern India, people in Kerala hold the harvest festival of Onam. And a Lithuanian thanksgiving celebration involves the creation of a boba (meaning old woman) from the last sheaf of grain at harvest time.

For each of us, we have much to be thankful for in our lives. A holiday will remind us of this very thing, but we need to remind ourselves often as we go about our daily lives. A quote that I am unsure of its author says, "it isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart." Be thankful in your life and see it become more fulfilled.

Life Happening

Busy week, busy life - I do hope all is well with everyone. My thoughts come back to my regular readers when time becomes filled and writing this blog is interrupted. My belief has always been that words serve to inspire and support your daily lives. If giving my readers a bit of hope or encouragement to achieve dreams of a better life helps even one person, then it makes my day better.

Many times in life we encounter tragedy and pain. Yet the small acts of kindness, the small acts of encouragement allow us to see hope and belief in the good our life has. Your life is important to you and those around you. Each of us can help each other to achieve that better life. Each of us will achieve that better life with consistent and progressive movement.

“Progress, of the best kind, is comparatively slow. Great results cannot be achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk, step by step.” - Samuel Smiles

Helping Others

There is a great television show carried here in the U.S. called Extreme Makeover:Home Edition that simply does a good thing for a selected family each week. The basic idea of the show is to take a family that has had hardship in their life and do a good thing for them. This is done basically by tearing down their old house and building a new one. My short description does not do the show justice so I encourage you to read more about it.

I've always been fascinated by the goodness that springs from the different people that get involved each week. This past Sunday though, a relative of my wife had their home rebuilt. The story of the Farina Family (Season 4, Ep. 7) involves her dedication to the Relay for Life Walks in honor of her mother and becoming an active member of the American Cancer society. Then at age 25, developing and is now a one year survivor of breast cancer.

The stories of what people around us go through are wide and varied. Life is simply occurring and it is up to all of us to help and support each other the best way we can. If you see a need, try to fill it. If you see pain, try to soothe it. Most of all, do not ignore it. Sowing into other peoples lives will ultimately be rewarded in your life.

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” - Flora Edwards

Think Big

"There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave, there are souls that are pure and true; then give the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you." - Madeline Bridges

A short article today but one that can make a big difference in your life. It is the idea of thinking big in everything that you do. When you dream, dream large. When you act on those dreams, act large.

Another way to 'think big' is to look at what Ben Carson writes in his book, "Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential For Excellence". Each letter has a meaning that you can adapt in to your own life.

T - Talents/time: recognize them as gifts.
H - Hope for goods things and be honest.
I - Insight from people and good books.
N - Be nice to all people.
K - Knowledge: Recognize it as the key to living.

B - Books: Read them actively.
I - In-depth learning skills: Develop them.
G - God: Never get too big for him.

"Big thinking precedes great achievement," is what Wilfred Peterson said. You can achieve more in life by believing in yourself in a "big" way.