Life is amazing and that’s why we can be thankful. Even though there are plenty of problems to grouse about, every problem can be turned into an opportunity to learn and grow. Every struggle, frustration and obstacle can be used for character building. It’s all in the way that you look at things.

That may sound a bit Pollyannaish, but Pollyanna was not as shallow or naive as you might think. She was wise for her age. Gratitude and looking on the bright side, or finding reasons to be grateful and joyful, are your primary resources for building a life you love. A life of fulfillment and joy.

Who Invented Thanksgiving? – Give them an award!

I’m always curious about how a tradition got started. In the USA we attribute this day to honoring the original settlers who endured crossing the ocean, a harsh winter, and the struggle to survive in a new and unfamiliar land. They certainly had a lot of obstacles to overcome. The original celebration feast and Thanksgiving of the Pilgrims and Puritans after their first good harvest is documented as being held at Plymouth, MA in 1612.

However, Thanksgiving days were celebrated long before that in England and other countries. As a matter of fact, the early pilgrims got the idea from previous experience in Europe. Setting aside a day to give thanks has it’s roots in both secular and religious traditions. This leads me to believe that giving thanks is an intrinsic part of humanity’s divine nature. People need and want to be grateful and celebrate the good.

It was the United States first President, George Washington, who proclaimed the first nationwide Thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God”. (Wikipedia)

Focus on the good no matter how much bad you see

History will show that in the end optimism rules. Of course, realism and critical thinking are important tools for working through the process, as long as you don’t get stuck there. So don’t feel bad if you’re a nit-picker at heart, just do a little tweaking of your style. Criticism has a constructive place if it’s connected to making things better, or for the greater good. If you are sincerely trying to help people or improve something, express your critical views with compassion and solutions instead of unhelpful judgment.

There is a popular saying, “Whatever you focus on will increase”, and I have found this to be true. I used to teach parenting seminars and one of the most important pieces of advice I would give parents was to focus on their child’s good behavior more than their bad behavior. It can work miracles in helping children behave well, but it can also work miracles in any relationship, including your relationship with yourself.

Whether you judge yourself or judge others, neither is healthy in the long run. In contrast, feeling grateful and expressing appreciation are signs of mental and emotional health, and this can even help you feel better physically. If you find it hard to be grateful, or if your life is full of overwhelming difficulties, try focusing on the things you value that are part of your life already. Make a list (even if it’s short) of the people and things you value and dwell in good thoughts of those people and things daily. After a few days start adding something new to your list each day, before long your mind will be overwhelmed by all the good in your life and it will just keep getting better.

Imagine the alternative

What if people were never grateful, can you imagine what a world we would live in? It’s a scary thought. You know what it feels like to be around grouchy, pessimistic, judgmental people, don’t you? No one would want to live in a world like that.

But you are creating your world with every thought and action each day. The present moment is your opportunity to create something good and beautiful, to love and experience gratitude for the wonder of life. Reflect on the good, keep it close to your heart, and turn those challenges into opportunities.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!