This is Thanksgiving Weekend here in the states and for many of us, an opportunity to spend time with friends and family.  For me, this year included eating, building puzzles, eating, watching football, eating and lots of driving.

Although I am grateful for the chance to spend time with family and friends, part of me is happy that the last few days have come to an end.  Not because it wasn’t fun or enjoyable, but because looking forward, I am going to try and be as thankful every day as I have been the last few days.

Everyone posts what they are thankful for and they send “special” emails telling people why they are thankful for them specifically.  I only feel obligated to write this because I have been guilty myself.  Now understand, there was nothing fake about the things I posted or the emails I sent.  And I am not saying there is anything wrong with it.  It just seems a little premeditated.

I guess it is a good thing to have a day to celebrate being thankful but I would sure like to see us all be grateful more often than a few day stretch in November.

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”

— Brian Tracy, Author

I like this quote by Brian Tracy because it addresses both side of the equation.  We almost always say thanks for things that have happened but how often are we thankful for what the future holds?  I am very thankful for the future because I get to create it. To me, the past is done, can’t change it, but tomorrow … anything is possible.

So what is the best way to make tomorrow the best it can possibly be?  Go into it with an attitude of gratitude.  Be grateful from the minute you wake up to the minute you go to sleep.  Laugh in the face of adversity because you know you can overcome it.  Be thankful simply for the opportunity to tackle a challenge.

If you are a follower of my blog, you are probably waiting for the four or five words that will help you have an attitude of gratitude.  Not so fast my friend … this one’s all on you. Why?  Because you are the only one that can control your attitude.

I could also post a number of things that I am thankful for, but instead I think I will just think about them for a while.  I have read more than once that writing things down is a good way to get them out of your head and onto paper.  Maybe I don’t want the things I am thankful for out of my head.  Maybe I want to keep them there and remain grateful.

I guess at the end of the day, it is up to you whether you wake up and go to bed grateful or not.  My advice … well, I would give it to you but I think you already know what it is.  Sweet Dreams!