What and who are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!  What are you thankful for, and who are you saying thanks too?

Yes it’s that time again.  Time for turkey, stuffing, all the fixings, and let’s not forget - football!  We know we’re supposed to be thankful, but for what, and are we really giving thanks to anything or anyone?

What I see is, most not all and hopefully not you, have lost the meaning of Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is not about the turkey and feast, it’s not about football, and it’s definitely not about preparing for Black Friday sales (don’t get me started).  Sure those are all apart of the Thanksgiving holiday, but they are not what giving thanks is all about.

Thanksgiving, and this holiday time of year for that matter, must include giving genuine thanks and gratitude for all the blessings in your life.  What and whom are you privileged to have in your life?  Is your health something to be thankful for, how about your family and friends, what about having a roof over your head, and what about your customers and clients?  Don’t they deserve a little thanks and gratitude, with no strings attached, other than the times of year where you ask them for money?

Saying thank you, or giving genuine gratitude seems to be more and more rare as time goes on.  We get so caught up in the day-to-day demands that we’ve forgotten what’s truly important and whom has helped shape us to become who we are.

So here’s my advice; make a list of everything, every blessing and everyone in your life who’s had any impact at all on you and express gratitude.  After you’ve done that for your personal life, do it for your professional relationships.  Let people know just how grateful you are for them, let them know you want nothing in return, and then commit to them too go above and beyond and deliver even more of yourself in 2014 and beyond.  You’ll definitely stand out and you’ll definitely receive their gratitude and thanks.

Enjoy your turkey and feast, enjoy the football, enjoy your loved ones, and even have fun on Black Friday if you must, but do not miss the real meaning of this and the holiday season.  Express your gratitude.  It’ll fill you up like no feast or drink or toy ever could.

I wish you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!