Just a brief reminder on this Thanksgiving Day that giving thanks should be more than just a day on the calendar. It should be the practice of our life.
It’s true that some people seem more naturally thankful than others. But giving thanks is something at which you can practice and get better.
To do that, try practicing the following acronym: T-H-A-N-K-S.
T – Think about what you have. Too many of us focus on what we don’t have rather than focusing on what we do have.
H – Help others with what you have. When you use what you have to help others, what you have becomes more valuable and seems to multiply.
A – Appreciate what you have. It’s hard appreciate what you have when there’s always something new and better out there. But it’s all relative. There are also things out there that are not as new and as nice as what you have.
N – Neglect basing your worth on what you have. Too often we base our value on what we have, or don’t have. This will not only keep you from being thankful, it will keep you from feeling good about yourself.
K – Keep people ahead of what you have. Always remember the people are more important than anything else. It’s easy to get caught up in what you have, or what you want to have, and forget about people.
S – Surrender what you have. Be careful about holding on to what you have too tightly. Otherwise, what you have may end up having you. Everything changes, so hold things loosely.
Giving thanks is something at which you can practice and get better. So practice extending your Thanksgiving day into a Thanksgiving week…and a Thanksgiving month…and a Thanksgiving year…and a Thanksgiving life.
On another level…
Scripture tells us that all we have to be thankful for comes from God…“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father…” (James 1:17 NLT)
As such, we are to give thanks to God for all we have…“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT)
Do you have a strategy for staying thankful? If so, share it by leaving a comment. It could help the rest of us.
Copyright © 2014 Bret Legg