Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is unequivocally my favorite holiday.

I think I’ve said that before, but in case you don’t specialize in data mining my blog for past year’s comments on particular holidays, I’ll just go ahead and say it again: I love Thanksgiving!

Why do I love this turkey filled, gluttonous holiday so much?  Well, despite what those of you who know me might thing: it’s not just about the food.

Thanksgiving is, to me, what Christmas should be: a time of family, fun, and gratitude for the year’s blessings.  Thanksiging is the time where you are expected to be grateful with no thought for recieving anything.  The only gift exchanged on Thanksgiving is the gift of gratitude.

Everyone, large or small, rich or poor, can give this gift at Thanksgiving, and it can be given in many ways and to many people.

The easiest way to give the gift of gratitude is to tell your family that you are grateful for them.  Expressing your gratitude to the ones closest to you is often the hardest things to do, but one of the most rewarding as well.  Just start by saying thank you for something small and seemingly insignificant.  With practice, gratitude will come easily and naturally.

You can give the gift of gratitude to God by recognizing his hand in your life, and by attributing your successes to His love, grace, and power.

And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things..
D&C 59:20-21

I would count myself ungrateful if I didn’t tell you that the blessings that I and my family have received this year, which I count as MANY, have come from God; everything from the talents and gifts he gave me to the people he surrounded me with, and even through direct intervention in my life.

Perhaps the thing I am counting as my greatest blessing this year is the confidence that my dreams still outnumber my memories, and that my optimism for the future is strong.  There is a lot of pessimism out there.  Sure, the economy sucks and life isn’t perfect for any of us, but I love that we have a holiday for counting the blessing we have rather than counting the blessings we wish we had.