By Penny Thibodaux
LSU AgCenter Extension Agent
Jefferson Davis Parish
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family and friends and to offer thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Thanksgiving also is a time to express gratitude for having enough food to eat and to help those who may have less. Being thankful can sometimes be difficult -- especially if you’ve experienced hardship. Here are some ways to help you count your blessings this Thanksgiving:
Nip those negative thoughts. When you notice yourself complaining, quickly name something you are thankful for. Creating this new habit can help in becoming a more thankful person. Also, try avoiding negative people. If you can’t get away from those who are negative, lay some ground rules so that they are prepared to be less negative around you.
Be a problem solver. Be part of the solution. If you are unhappy with things in your life consider what steps you can take to make things better. In some situations, it may be better to accept the things you cannot change; however, you can still consider ways to handle things in a more positive light. Accepting your lot in life doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams. It's about not wasting time on wishing for things you don't have. Instead, spend your time on setting goals and achieving them. Be realistic when setting goals. And remember that life will always have its ups and its downs.
Stop comparing. It’s human nature to notice what others have and what we don’t. But if we are so busy noticing what others have, we’ll miss the chance to see the blessings that are right in front of us.
Find joy in the small things. Take a tip from a young child -- blow some bubbles, skip, play and laugh. Reconnecting with the simple things in life can help you to be more thankful.
Learn by observing others. Seeing how others deal with their struggles can help you to gain new perspective. Observe those who have endured incredible adversity in life and yet still managed to turn things around. In difficult times, it can be helpful to recognize that you are not alone and that others have gone through similar difficulties.
It’s up to me. Be accountable for your actions in how you deal with the stress of the holidays. Preparing yourself for events and activities can help you to be less resentful and more thankful for the opportunities before you.
Do something nice for someone. Reach out to someone less fortunate. Not only will you be helping someone but you will be taking your mind off of your own problems. And you might just be able to realize your blessings in the process.
Learn to view a hardship as an opportunity for growth. We all have obstacles to overcome no matter our lot in life. It can be difficult to see the blessings all around us when we are going through a tough time. Give yourself time and after you have dealt with the problem, try to see how you have grown or changed from it. Imagine yourself in the future looking back on your life and recounting a difficult circumstance. Would you be able to say that you handled it well? Would you be proud of how you worked through it?
Create a blessings tree. Here’s a project for the whole family. Start by placing tree branches in a pot. Make the “leaves” out of colorful construction paper. Have everyone in the family write one thing they are thankful for on each leaf. You can include extended family as well when they visit. Blessings can be labeled with owner’s name, or names can be left off. Create a small hole on one end of the leaf. Tie yarn or string through each leaf to hang on the tree. Children can decorate the tree with clear lights and garland or use their own creative ideas.
Teach thankfulness. Pass it on; pay it forward. By sharing our gifts and talents with others we pay service to others and also create a legacy of giving. Look for ways to help your children show their appreciation. Teach children to find the silver lining in a difficult situation. And when they do realize the blessing during a tough time, praise them for it.
Journaling. Count your blessings by making a list of the things that you are thankful for. Continue adding to this list. Watching the list grow will help you to see the many blessings in your life.
By looking at the world a little differently, you just might realize how much you have to be thankful for such as the air you breathe, the colors of a sunset sky, the sound of a sweet song, those who love you, or even a hot bowl of gumbo on a cold day. Learning to count your blessings is not about what you are going through. It’s about how you look at life and how you handle situations. May your Thanksgiving be filled with an abundance of blessings and that you take the time to count them. Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers!