I'd like to wish everyone who is celebrating thanksgiving today a heartfelt HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For many of you who got the jump on things, a lot of the prep work is finished and you are feeling that nice tingle of a job well done, and anticipation for the day ahead.

For many of you who did not get the jump on things, a busy day ahead!

Either way, don't lose sight of what the day is about.

Giving thanks for our blessings, what ever they may be – big or small.

No one is going to remember if a dessert didn't get made, or your shirt was wrinkly, or your kids socks were mismatched.

They will remember your happiness and the love that you shared today.

And that comes from being truly grateful for what we have. 

I LOVE THIS DAY

I love Thanksgiving because to me, being grateful and consciously giving thanks for my many blessings is the foundation of a good life.

Of peace, of feeling fulfilled. And to somehow bring it all together, to cease the feeling that I am not good enough, or have not done enough or that my accomplishments are lacking.

It's the best way I know to be happy and everything else stems from this.

BE SURE TO REMIND YOUR KIDS OF THE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING

Many times Thanksgiving day passes without us acknowledging, especially to our children, the importance of being thankful.

Don't let today pass without asking them what they are thankful for.

This will encourage them to really think about it and acknowledge all that they have.

There is an incredible amount of security that comes from the feeling, something so important in a child's development to boot.

And our own.

MAKE IT A HABIT

Want to really make Thanksgiving a holiday to remember?

Make it a habit to acknowledge the things that we are grateful for daily.

Before bed, or at the dinner table are prime times to do this with your kids.

MY LIST

I am grateful for

– my kids for all the love that they have brought to my life

– my husband for his support and for giving me the chance to fulfill my dreams

– my sister for being my lifelong companion even from afar

– my nieces and nephews – for giving me the amazing opportunity to be an Auntie, and of course, for the love

– my dad – for always being a square peg and showing me by example how cool it is to be yourself with no apologies. And how rockin' it is to get better with age

– my step mom – for providing the foundations and doing her best 

– my mom – I didn't get to know her long enough, but just knowing what a kind and good person she was makes me a better person by default :0) 

– my grandparents for always being there and adoring me every day of their lives 

– my 'oldest' friend Melanie for being an amazing example of human spirit – I'd like to be like her when I grow up :0)

– my pets who are my sidekicks and love me always 

– my house that leaves plenty of room for 'creative endevours'! 

– my freedom to live as I like

– my strength and ability to tackle the challenges

– my good health and the fact that I can move in any way I like 

– my deep understanding that life is fleeting, and to appreciate every breath fully. 

– all of you reading this right now – for being there and taking the time to hear the words – for giving me the chance to become a writer – my lifelong dream (since I learned how to read Campbells soup tins in grade 1 :0) 

AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION 

Despite appearances, it hasn't all been 'Pollyanna' (you should check that link, Pollyanna really is something that we should all aspire to).

When I look through the list, there are very few of the things that I am grateful for that at one time or another have not caused me deep pain, a large amount of effort and energy and/or a core questioning about the place for them in my life.

But in the end, non of that matters.  Moving through it and remembering what they have given me and how important they are in my life has always seen it through, even if I had to wait it out :0)

In the end, it is the love that far outweighs the pettiness, the mistakes or the misunderstandings.

If you can be thankful for that, you will have the world. 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR

Please post your comments in the section below. I would LOVE to hear what you are grateful for in your life.