Yep, it’s here. The day we intentionally celebrate family, food, and football. Thanksgiving! It’s also the day the Christmas shopping “deals” seriously begin with “Black Friday,” which now actually begins Thanksgiving day.
Historically speaking, in 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
Biblically speaking, and depending on the source, some derivative of the word Thanksgiving appears 220 times in the Bible. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 King James Version (KJV), it says, “ In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
As kids, we’re taught that “please,” and “thank you” are magic words—spells that compel adults to give us stuff. “Thanks!” becomes code, then instinct. We express gratitude because of something good that has happened to us. However, remembering to express gratitude is a learned behavior. It is a process, not an event. And some of us need extra practice.
I love the fact that gratitude is more than an attitude or an acquired behavior. It has inherent healing power. For example, did you know it’s impossible to be both grateful and depressed? It’s impossible to feel both grateful and inconsiderate. It’s impossible to feel both grateful and sad. I use its healing power daily by giving thanks to God when I wake up for things that are easily taken for granted to include: working body parts, a functioning brain, clean water, food, shelter, a heart that loves to love, challenges that have made me strong, and one more opportunity to fix what I broke yesterday. And yes, I thank God for you!.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend”. – Melody Beattie
Until next time, remember,-
You are not alone.
-
You are not your circumstances.
-
You have everything within you to live a purpose-filled life.
is a best selling author, Breakthrough Speaker and Spiritual coach. She has spent the last fifteen years mentoring and coaching those needing direction and support in the areas of life skills, leadership development, effective and efficient communications, and improved self-image. Connect with Tyra to get the support and help you need. Contact Info: Tyra Garlington Email: Tyra@TyraGarlington.com For Bookings and Inquiries: (813) 994-9462 As a Breakthrough Coach, Spiritual Coach and Christian Coach, Tyra offers a variety of breakthrough services including but not limited to: Personal Empowerment Coach :: Spiritual Coaching :: Breakthrough Coaching :: Christian Speaker :: Professional Speaker :: Breakthrough Speaker :: Personal Empowerment Speaker
