The Thankful List

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The Thankful List
Lisa Holt

Remember when you were in school and the art project for the month of November was to make one of those turkeys using an outline of your hand and writing a list of things you were thankful for? As we grew older, we no longer made a thankful list. We may have a mental note of thankful things, and when we say our prayers maybe we include them.  But sometimes it helps to have something in writing to keep things in perspective.  So, a few years ago, I started a thankful list, and from time to time I add to my l list. I consider myself one of the lucky ones that it continually grows longer.  Recently, I read something that really stuck with me: “What if all you woke up with this morning was the things you were thankful for yesterday?”  An attitude of gratitude is more important than you think; it makes us humble, appreciative and overall just gives us a better attitude about life, for as many of you know, we are not promised tomorrow.  I would like to share with you my thankful list and encourage you to create your own.  Get your entire family involved and ask them to create a list.  Remember the key is to keep adding to your list; I think you will find your life is much better than you ever thought it could be.

I am thankful for…

• the rain because it cleanses everything for a fresh start.
• the “lean” years as they taught me the difference between a “want” and a “need” and how unimportant material things are.
• sickness as it has taught me to know how good it feels to be healthy.
• the friends that have come and gone as they have left a piece of themselves with me and taught me something about myself.
• the sound of my children calling “Mom” because that is the most special name a woman can have.
• the roof that needs repair and the lawn that needs mowing because it means I have a home. 
• the years I spent alone as they taught me how to be strong and independent.
• the mistakes I have made for they have made me wiser.
• having to wear sunglasses because it means I can see the sun shining.
• my past for it has made me the person I am today.
• the people in my life that have amazed and disappointed me, for they have taught me not to expect or presume.
• all the “frogs” I have kissed, for they have taught me what I want in a spouse.
• freedom
• having experienced death in my life so that I may know what it feels like to be alive.

“Life isn’t about weathering the storm. Life is about learning to dance in the rain”

What are you thankful for? In honor of the Thanksgiving season, we invite you to share part of your Thankful List with us in the comment section below!