The anticipation and the preparations. It’s all about bringing family and friends together to celebrate life’s numerous blessings. A time of caring and sharing.
Yes, Thanksgiving can bring much joy and happiness into your life. It’s all about the journey.
With “journey” and “travels” the concept comes together nicely. It’s about the process much more than the destination. Yet we are delighted when we “arrive,” but there is so very much more.
It’s Your Focus
Two brothers found a treasure map.
They planned their journey and dreamed of the “treasure” they would find.
From studying the map, they knew where their treasure was located . . . and they knew how to get there.
During the early morning hours they gathered their equipment and set out for their hike in the woods. The boys hiked those woods on numerous occasions . . . but this time they had a mission . . . treasure.
The “treasure” was foremost on their minds. They walked briskly through the debris on the path. Their first “marker” was up ahead . . . the huge boulder separating the path.
They stopped briefly. They were going up the trail.
They set off, when suddenly the earth started shaking and the roar of thundering hoofs. Wild sheep were on their way. One brother dove right while the other left.
The brother on the left disturbed a mother skunk who didn’t take kindly to the intrusion.
The herd of wild sheep passed and the brother on the left was yelling and crying out in pain.
“I can’t see!”
His brother came to his rescue, bathing his eyes with water to clear his vision.
They leaned against the old tree, stumbling over the gnarled roots — their second “marker.”
Giving Up
The boys didn’t realize they were only a few feet away from their treasure.
They didn’t notice the second marker. They lost their focus.
They returned home, stumbling on every rock and rut on the path they previously covered so effortlessly.
It’s so easy to give up and to not see what is right before you.
Life gives us many obstacles, but it is our clear focus that gets up through them. When you lose your focus . . . it’s difficult to build up that enthusiasm again.
That’s how many people feel about the holidays and the preparations.
Yes, it can be a huge undertaking, but it can also be a labor of love . . . when you focus upon your goal.
Journey’s Aren’t Without Obstacles
It’s all about your focus.
You can focus upon everything that could possibly go wrong . . . or focus upon how things are coming together . . . Traffic is always an issue, but it’s your perspective that makes it bearable or horrible.
With focus, you can head-off obstacles. Find solutions and alternatives to keep you on your path.
I remember one Thanksgiving getting a flat tire.
I did replace the tire. Called to let my folks know of my delay.
Yes, I did miss out on the company and feast, but as it turned out, this is a Thanksgiving I truly did enjoy. I was grateful for the gas station that was open and how I wasn’t charged a fortune for the tire.
I was thankful for parents who kept my Thanksgiving dinner warm and ready when I arrived. I did enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
My mother spoke of that day often. She said she got two Thanksgivings. One with my brother and his family and one with me. It made the day last longer for her.
I could have returned home, but I did continue on my journey.
I was grateful for the man who stopped and helped me change my tire and told me of the gas station that was open. I was also grateful for our conversation of how he was going to visit his grandmother. He spoke so fondly of her . . . by the time the tire was changed, I felt I knew her and the young man she raised.
I was grateful for the attendant at the gas station and his wife who brought us coffee and sandwiches.
Some Obstacles Can Be Blessings
It’s stopping for a bit to really see what is around us.
My flat tire was a blessing. It allowed me to meet some interesting people I would never have met otherwise.
It gave me a new perspective on the true meaning of Thanksgiving and the may blessings we miss, because we’re not looking for them. They come in all shapes and sizes . . . and even in disguise.
I was out shopping yesterday and the Thanksgiving grocery displays were moved front and center. It was so easy to find just about everything in that one section. I could feel the excitement of the approaching holiday.
Family is gathering this weekend to spend more time together. There is much excitement and anticipation all around the city. It’s easy to get caught up in it.
No matter what your plans, take a moment to reflect upon your favorite Thanksgiving Day celebrations. It’s good to remember loved ones who have passed and how they have made Thanksgiving and other holidays so special.
Is It The Food Or The Company?
For many it could be the traveling to see loved one.
My neighbor has an expression I truly love, “Family is like fish, it spoils after three days.” So she limits her visits. It’s a way to visit various family and friends before arriving at their final destination for Thanksgiving.
I’m sure many would like to spend more than three days together, but I can understand not imposing on the kindness of others.
My brother and I were talking about food yesterday. That really gets you in the mood for the Thanksgiving Feast before us this Thanksgiving. This got me thinking of how special Thanksgiving was when we were kids. That’s why I love the picture of kids playing in the leaves with the Pilgrims and Native Americans in the background.
It’s remembering the reason for the holiday and also allowing you to be a kid again . . . at least in memory.
My father and I would rake leaves together Thanksgiving morning. It became our tradition. Surprisingly, I do miss it. I loved seeing the progress we made in getting the driveway cleared off first and then the front lawn. I do love the sound of crunching in the leaves.
Each family may have priceless memories that have nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but we do make the association nevertheless.
Make Your Own Traditions
There are so many “built in” traditions centered around Thanksgiving.
It’s mainly the food, but it could be something more . . . like raking leaves or making the beds . . . even bringing out cots for the kids to sleep on . . . or setting up a place for kids to play in the backyard.
Football is a tradition . . . watching or playing it with family and friends . . . also a favorite movie or board game . . . or video game . . . each family has traditions that are uniquely their own . . . or maybe not so unique.
Then, the day after Thanksgiving . . . Black Friday special shopping trips . . . putting up the Christmas tree and the Christmas lights . . . or whatever you and your family find appropriate to do.
It’s always fun to have something special to share with loved ones that will be a treasured memory for many years to come.
It’s never to late to create your own Thanksgiving tradition.
What Do You Do When Things Aren’t Coming Together?
We’ve all been knocked down from time to time.
It doesn’t make it right or pleasant, but it is an opportunity to regroup and take a closer look.
I’m no Pollyanna, but I choose to look on the bright side of every situation . . . not that everything has a silver lining. Some stuff just stinks! But we can move on from devastating situations.
There is that expectation to move on. Not that it’s easy . . . and don’t believe it when people say “it will get easier.” Each loss, each disappointment isn’t easy to accept . . . even if you’ve experienced it before. You grieve, you lick your wounds . . . and you move on . . . through your grief and disappointment.
Life Offers Opportunities And Challenges
Nothing comes together effortlessly.
Some opportunities turn your priorities on its ear. Re-evaluation of those priorities seems to be a constant in my life. I think I have things in order to find new information that sets me back.
You may have experienced the same.
It seems with every opportunity there’s a challenge or two. Some may be spelled out. Others entirely elusive.
Or you believe you’re on the right track only to find it leads to a dead end.
The majority of the time, you can make your life work giving you happiness and success in all aspects. It does seem we do get tangled up in the web of missed opportunities and struggling with the challenges before us.
It has been said and proven that what we think about most often comes to pass in our lives. If we’re constantly worrying, we bring upon us more to worry about. That’s why a positive viewpoint is essential.
I’m Not A Firm Believer In Affirmations Unless I Make Them Up Myself
I’ve read some great affirmations over the years that sound wonderful and are easy to memorize.
These work for the person who wrote them. They are their affirmations. Use them as a model to create your own.
Here are some examples:
I Live a Positive Life and Only Attract the Best to Me.
I Am Peacefully Allowing My Life To Unfold With Love, Success and Abundance.
I Am Making Positive Choices in My Life.
I Am Successful.
I Am Loved.
I’m a Magnet for Success and Good Fortune.
I Am Breaking Through Old Habits of Behavior and Moving Forward With My Life.
You know what you want out of life and you know what positive thoughts you should be saying to yourself on a daily basis. It’s nice to begin your day with a positive affirmation and several times throughout the day as well as close your day with it, too.
I remember an exercise from a self-help book I read that advised throughout the day to say, “I can buy that!” It could be a house, a car, something in a shop window, etc.
It didn’t work for me. The reason being I’d add “but I don’t want it.” I was giving the Universe the message that I didn’t desire material goods . . . including money to buy expensive items.
An affirmation only works when you believe what you’re saying.
I know people say to “fake it until you make it.” I’m not a firm believer in that. I believe what you say and repeat must be heartfelt. It must apply to you.
It must resonate within you.
Change Your Thoughts And Actions To Change Your Life
There are phases in your life when you notice that you’re attracting the wrong stuff to you.
I was attracting the wrong people and the wrong opportunities. I knew I had to change this. The mind is a powerful instrument. Make up your mind to change . . . and change will come.
You need to guard your thoughts and your actions must match your thoughts. Not an easy task, but do-able.
It also helps to visualize yourself doing or being what it is you want. See yourself in that car or outfit, with a special person or in a particular job.
Only attract those things to you that don’t belong to others. I would never want a job held by another person or the spouse of someone. I don’t want what belongs to others.
Have you noticed that the life of another person isn’t as wonderful as you might think. People always put their best spin on their situation — hiding what they don’t want others to see or afraid others will discover.
It’s not my intention to lie about my life nor is it my intention to reveal everything. I know many politicians say they’ll be “transparent.” This isn’t true and they knew it wasn’t true when they said it.
Quite honestly could you go around being completely transparent? Would you want everyone to know your thoughts, dreams and aspirations?
Of course not. Once you’re in a committed loving relationship you can reveal what is necessary, but I don’t think you’d want to know every single detail about another person’s life . . . maybe if there’s something dangerous or illegal. It’s something you need to decide.
Live Your Life With Purpose
It’s nice to know where your’re going.
It’s great to have goals and priorities. A plan is wonderful, if it can also be flexible.
There is always something new we learn about what we’re doing.
I had a major revelation about affiliate marketing that completely knocked me for a loop. I was devastated for days. I was even unable to work on my blogs.
I had some major decisions to make. I had to make adjustments in my thinking and to gain more information for me to create something positive and productive.
I had to take a long hard look at my priorities and how they stacked up against this new information.
I’ve made some changes and I’m still working on others. It is a process I’m going through. Sure, I could throw it all away and start over, but I don’t know if down the road I could find a way to salvage and improve what I have.
I know I need to let go of some things. That’s difficult for me, but it has been weighing on my mind for quite some time. When I’m ready, I will.
That’s important for you, too. Don’t go off making changes without giving it considerable thought and making adjustments along the way. This is a journey. You want to end up where you want to be . . . and if it isn’t what you thought it could be, you need to make the necessary changes. It is definitely a process with no easy answers.
And celebrating the many veterans who have served over the years . . . and those who are no longer with us.
I’m pleased by the many ceremonies taking place today with parades. And some restaurants are giving veterans a free meal. Isn’t that great! Kids are even out of school!!!
Yes, but there are times when you discover that many may have moved on without you.
I remember how I lost interest in school when my best friend moved away. Sure, I had other friends, but with my best friend gone . . . I felt lost.
This demonstrates that at that time in my life I was a follower, not a leader. Without my leader, I didn’t want to go on and things didn’t really seem to matter.
Of course, I was down in the dumps when I walked home from school. My mother was fully aware of my best friend moving away and she wondered how it was going to affect me.
It did. Quite profoundly. But it didn’t have to and my mother didn’t want it to linger.
Getting Over It
It didn’t happen magically after baking cookies with my mother.
She would have loved that, but it did continue for a few weeks. We were asked to bring a wire close hanger from home. The teacher also said if we didn’t have one, she would have extras. So, I didn’t bother to bring a close hanger. I don’t remember the project . . . in fact I don’t remember much of those first weeks to a month of that school year.
I just know I did my school work, but nothing extra.
I don’t know what woke me up, but I was in my fog of sadness over not having my best friend with me. I looked around the classroom and noticed everyone was busy and having fun. I had a blank piece of paper in front of me. I looked to see what others were doing.
Oh my goodness! They were writing and drawing pictures about their first day of school — their first day of school at that particular school.
That was when I met my best friend. So I got to work on that. I did remember everything about it. And I ended my story with her moving away and how awful I felt. I even drew a picture of a dark cloud over me.
The teacher collected our assignment and we went out for recess. Some of my friends were talking about the assignment. They spoke about how they, too, had met their best friend and how the next year they weren’t in the same classroom and each of them made other friends.
Things did work out for them. And they would work out for me, too.
A Lesson About Moving On
The teacher didn’t seem surprised by the theme many stories and pictures took.
She was prepared with a story of her own. Yet, hers had a very different twist.
She remembered how she was the new girl at the school. None of her neighbors were in her class. She had friends outside of school, but not in school. Everyone had their own friends and there didn’t seem to be room for her to join in their games.
So she made the most of it by playing on the playground equipment by herself, eating lunch alone and walking home from school alone.
Well, one day several kids were out sick with a cold or flu which left many kids alone without their friends.
That’s when she was invited to play with other kids. They were so afraid of wandering along alone, they reached out to her . . . forgetting how they treated her previously.
She decided not to remind them of their rudeness and played with them knowing when their friends returned to school in a day or two she’d be out in the cold again.
But it didn’t happen that way. Some joined in accepting her in the group and some formed other groups. It was all part of how kids change from moment to moment.
There’s nothing wrong with feeling down in the dumps, but there is always a way of making friends and making the best of every situation. Yes, it is sad to be alone, but it’s what you do with yourself that makes the difference.
Many people feel like this and there are plenty of movies about it . . . in all phases of life.
Growing From Our Experiences
The only thing we can be sure of is nothing stays the same.
There is always change. Some good and some unpleasant. But we cope. We make the best of each and every situation. No matter how long it takes.
We learn to not let things bother us.
I found how I was missing something valuable by being down in the dumps. I almost missed that assignment. I was too busy not paying attention. The thing is, my former best friend was having a great time in her new school . . . making the best of her move. She may or may not have thought about me. It really didn’t matter because I didn’t know. Any more than she knew I was down in the dumps missing out on meeting new people and forming new friendships.
No matter what’s going on with you, you can overcome it and move on with your life. It does take some effort to look for the good and to put your best foot forward.
Just flow within the now . . . that’s basically all we have.
I remember a scene from an episode of All In The Family where Edith spoke about a snap shot of how all the action stopped in that picture. One minute they’re going on with life, pause for the picture, then continue on. It’s like that in real life. We’re constantly moving on.
If we’re not physically moving, our thoughts are. It’s seeing the next thing or doing something or making something or talking with someone. We’re constantly bombarded with thoughts. Some we act upon and others we ignore.
We may miss out on opportunities . . . or we avoided something unpleasant. But we have our set of priorities and we pretty much stick to them . . . until we realize we need to change them . . . open up a bit to new opportunities . . .
Life is ever changing . . . we can stay stuck or be happy where we are and ride it out through the end . . . or take a chance on doing something new and different . . . we may fail or succeed . . . and learn something in the process.
Every day if you’re aware of it or not are given options . . . most of the time we’re busy with what we’re doing to notice or we notice everything and are confused about weeding everything out . . . Life is a process . . .
Once again I don’t have answers for you . . . you’re the only one who knows what’s best for you.
I may know what’s best for me now . . . but I do try to keep my options open.
I wish you all the best in your daily experiences,
