Last week, a little past mid-September, with temperatures in the triple digits here in sunny Southern California I saw a lighted snowman and Christmas decorations while I raced through the aisle at my local Costco store. It still felt like summer outside, fall had yet to begin and we have Christmas decorations in the store!

Well, this started me to thinking about, how close to the end of the year we are already. I thought about goals I set during the year, the ones that I had already reached as well as those in progress. One facing me at that instance was to get in and out of Costco purchasing only what was on my list! Your time is your money in that store, the longer you stay the larger your total when you get to the register!

My focus began to move away from Christmas and stop at Thanksgiving. My thoughts turned to what I am thankful for at this point, in this year of my life. I thought of family, friends, health, relationships, new learning, changes, new challenges, missed opportunities, and bumps in the road! As I continued through the large warehouse store I thought with Thanksgiving quickly approaching what am I thankful for today, in this moment, in the middle of Costco with the snowman, and all of the people bustling about.

It is great to give thanks on the third Thursday in November, that day set aside and recognized by the 1939 Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to be the national day of “thanksgiving and praise”.  This proclamation came at a time when the world was enduring something known as the Great Depression. The entire world was feeling the effects of this depression. They still found the time, reason and purpose to give thanks. The author of my favorite book indicates we are to give thanks in everything. Even in the midst of an economy that is less than perfect. With all of the looming issues on Facebook, the news, the Internet and such, we are to give thanks!

So in the middle of Costco I began to give thanks! Before I got to the end of my list of thanks I found myself on the way to my vehicle. I spent about the amount of money I planned, and did not happen to notice whether the line I had chosen moved slower, or faster than those I had passed up. Instead of being prompted to continue the conversation about retailers attempting to ignite an early spending frenzy for the holidays, I focused on the joys of my life. The people and things that are meaningful to me. The deposits I get to make into the lives of others and how I may focus to do more of what God wills for me to do.

Now I challenge you to do the same as this Thanksgiving season is upon us J! Instead of getting entangled in the negative, nonproductive banter, and questioning the reasons for the focus on the buying, allow those end of the year symbols to trigger you to move ahead all the way to Thanksgiving! Then when the calendar arrives at the third Thursday in November you will be even more appreciative of all of the blessings you have in your life. Perhaps you will even inspire others to do the same. Part of loving ourselves is to acknowledge the good that exists in our lives.

People are very free with their opinions about our flaws and misgivings. They point them out directly, and perhaps more frequently in whispers behind our backs. Even when you or I do not hear these comments they influence our time and energies, toward away from a path of well-being. How much better is it to be empowered to set a positive loving atmosphere for yourself, and those around you? You have that power, to influence your environment. Take Inventory and Take Action. Instead of allowing life to happen to you, be an active participant in setting the course of your life. If you would like more information on how you can do just that, contact me I will share my ideas. The choice is yours!

When we deliberately take charge of our lives in a positive way and give thanks in everything, it changes our mental outlook, and what you think about you. It also affects others. What would happen if everyone in every relationship you have genuinely loved themselves first, and then love others around them? What if everyone saw the holiday decorations as a reminder to give thanks for everything? Then it would be great to see that snowman in January, because it might encourage us all to actually give thanks in everything as our maker instructs! Let me know how your Thanksgiving season goes! I am certain you will run into some snowmen too!

Love,
Deborah
Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself!