As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, November brings with it a special sense of warmth and reflection. Known as the month of gratitude and thankfulness, it invites you and I to pause and appreciate the many blessings in our lives. While Thanksgiving Day itself provides a dedicated opportunity to reflect on all we're grateful for, there's no reason we can't embrace the spirit of thankfulness throughout the year.
Through the years, I've come to learn that gratitude is more than saying "thank you"; it's a mindset that opens our hearts to peace, love and contentment as Christ leads us. When we make gratitude a daily habit, it impacts our relationships, improves our mood and even boosts our health. So how can you and I practice gratitude and thankfulness while growing in our faith daily?
Start a Gratitude Journal- Journaling is one of the best ways to cultivate a habit of thankfulness. Each day, write down three things you are grateful for. These can be as simple as a warm cup of coffee in the morning or as big as a supportive friend or family member. I always love to look back at my entries to see all of the blessings in my life-Thank you, Jesus!
Express Thanks to Those Around You-I think it's fair to say we often feel thankful for the people in our lives, but how often do we express it? This month, make an effort to tell God, friends, family members and co-workers how much they mean to you. A heartfelt note, text or phone call can brighten someone's day and deepen your connection. And by practicing this exercise in the month of November will enable you to carry it all year through.
Give Back to Your Community- Thankfulness is about recognizing what we have, and one way to do that is by giving back. Everything you and I have is from God and what a beautiful example to give back. Volunteer at a local shelter, donate food to a food bank, support a charity that means something to you, help a single mom that you know needs someone to come along side her with tasks, etc... Acts of kindness allow us to share our blessings with others, helping you and I to appreciate what we have.
Practice Giving Thanks Throughout Your Day- How important it is to pause throughout our day to savor all of our blessing. Speaking our thankfulness to God is so important! Being thankful for a beautiful sunset, savoring a delicious meal, or even taking a walk in the park are all examples of reflecting on your blessings. Being mindful of gratitude helps us slow down, live in the present, and recognize the abundance around us, even the simplest things.
Create a Family or Friend Gratitude Tradition- Start a family or friend tradition to celebrate gratitude together. This could be as simple as sharing what you're grateful for over a weekly meal or creating a "gratitude jar" where everyone writes down things they're grateful for throughout the month.What a sweet way to build memories and inspire others to be grateful as well.
In closing, gratitude doesn't have to be reserved for one day or month a year. By embracing thankfulness in November, we can make it a habit that extends into every season. As we move through the month, let's remember that gratitude is a practice- it grows the more we exercise it. In this season of giving thanks, let's celebrate all that we have, both big and small. When we take the time to express our gratitude and share it with others, we transform our outlook, lift others up, and create a ripple of kindness that can extend well beyond November.
May this month be a season of reflection, joy, and abundant gratitude before God that continues to grow our faith and stays with us long after the last leaf falls. Happy November!
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