Reflections on Thanksgiving 2014

/in /by

Thanksgiving 2014So yesterday was Thanksgiving…
We had a wonderful time together here as a family.  Today we head to my parents home and tomorrow we are at Victoria’s.  I am so thankful for our many blessings.  There are things I long for that haven’t been yet been realized.  But, overall, I am extremely grateful.
These last few months have been a journey in “Gratitude.”  In some ways, I think this is the greatest lesson that God is teaching me right now.  Life still has it’s struggles, but I am overcoming the struggles with gratitude.
Gratitude changes perspective… As I was reading The Noticer last evening… he kept talking about “perspective.”  Perspective is how we view things.  Sometimes our perspective is crystal clear and we understand the truth, and other times our perspective is warped and we are missing all the blessings that we have.
I have come to the conclusion that gratitude is the only way to enjoy life, grow and fulfill my destiny.  Even if gratitude results in an overly optimistic view of reality, I am better off with gratitude than having a negative view of life.
On Wednesday in my blog post, I shared that the hidden secret of Thanksgiving is that it could transform your life.  I also challenged you to speak your gratitude.

Therefore, here is my thankfulness list in no particular order.  Some of these items are big some are small, but for all of them I am thankful.

  • My amazing wife who always speaks well of me in public
  • My four daughters who fill my life with love and laughter
  • My savior Jesus Christ who set me free from the bondage of sin so that I can fulfill my destiny
  • The opportunity to help others through coaching small business owners
  • The incredible opportunity that the web has opened up for ordinary people like me to get our message out
  • Trager Brother’s coffee that is great to drink and take care of the farmers
  • Our miracle foal, Amari, that was born and survived even when the vet thought she wouldn’t
  • Extended family that loves and encourages one another
  • Friends who have stuck with me through good times and bad
  • A warm home on a cold morning as I write this post
  • A garden that produced abundance and filled our pantry with canned goods
  • Material blessings that allow me to eliminate more that 50% of the clothes in my closet and still have more than enough
  • Strength and good health for me and my family
  • The accomplishing of a lifelong goal to write a book (first draft complete)
  • All of you, my readers, who have supported and encouraged me on this journey.

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to participate in the revival of the small business and the revival of YOU, the small business owners.  I am looking forward to a great year as I get to see more and more lives, families and businesses transformed.  Thank you for supporting me here at the beginning.

What are you thankful for this year?

Share your “list” in the comments.  Together we will encourage each other.

 

  • Brian