When we were children, we were constantly prompted to say “thank you.” And our parents would elicit a thank you with phrases like, “What do you say?” or “What’s the magic word?”
Growing up, we were taught to be thankful for everything, but when did we stop? Did we stop being thankful when something didn’t go as we had hoped it would, or did we stop being thankful because we were no longer being prompted to show gratefulness?
Thanksgiving may be over, but thankfulness does not have to stop just because the turkey is gone. I encourage you to say “thank you” all season long.
Give thanks in situations that are both sweet and sour. Showing thankfulness with these two simple words may not alter your life in a grand way, but the simple act could brighten someone else’s day.
As Christmas approaches, practice thankfulness and make a conscious choice to focus on blessings instead of burdens. Being thankful doesn’t mean we ignore our burdens or problems. Instead, we acknowledge the goodness in our lives. Until then, let’s choose to focus on that which is good and beautiful instead of that which is broken.