When I do this, I Feel Happier Automatically

I love when the holidays start rolling in. I love the encouragement I feel to be more grateful, more giving, more loving. The Lord blesses us with many things. We probably can't even count them all. And if we try, we will probably miss a lot of blessings that we don't even realize we have. I, for one, like to make a list of things I am grateful for. When I do this, I feel happier automatically.

I am thankful for:

• A family who loves me
• Children who look up to me
• Children who make me laugh and smile, especially when I don't feel like it
• To live in a country with freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to vote
• The founding fathers of this country
• Inspired leaders
• Doctors
• A husband who loves me despite our HUGE differences of opinions
• The ability to create stories and music
• A roof over my head and food to eat
• A car to drive (albeit a very embarrassing car to drive)
• The bright Autumn leaves
• The 20 second walk to my kids' school

The list could go on and on. 

Now, the problem with these lists is we (at least I hope it's us and not just me) tend to make disclaimers on our blessings, i.e, we have to throw in a negative to counteract the positive. For instance, I mentioned that I am grateful for my car, and yet I just had to tell you that I hate it at the same time. Why do we do that? I am not exactly sure, but I do know that the more I focus on being GRATEFUL and finding JOY in things, the less likely I am to be upset or fearful. 

So yes, Thanksgiving isn't just a day for a massive, indulgent meal (although, that's nice too), it's a day to remember the good times and how we got through the bad times. It's a day to look upward, press forward and to bring someone with us.