Thankfulness is a Principle

Thankfulness - Aware and appreciative; grateful...then expressing: 

Principle - A basic truth, law, or assumption…a rule or standard

What is the “Power of Gratitude?”

It turns:

1. 1.   Denial into acceptance
2. 2.   Chaos to order
3. 3.   Confusion to clarity
4. 4.   It can turn a meal into a feast
5. 5.   A house into a home
6. 6.   A stranger into a friend

It will:

1. 1.   Make sense of our past
2. 2.   Bring peace for today
3. 3.   Create a vision for tomorrow
4. 4.   Unlock the fullness of life
5. 5.   Turn what we have into enough…and more

“Love What You Have; Create What Matters Most”

[We must cultivate (promote) an "attitude of gratitude”]

[We should each develop the habit of thanksgiving so that we are thankful on a daily basis.]

What are the {Benefits of Thankfulness}

1. Thankfulness focuses our minds on the good things of life

 When we take the time to give thanks we are naturally focusing on the good things in life.  It is the good things of life that we reflect on with joy as we list take inventory the things in life were thankful for.  The bad things will drift away as we continue to reflect on all that is good in life. [Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.] Philippians 4:8 

2. Thankfulness helps us think of the {BIG picture}

Generally, what we express thanksgiving for are the BIG things in life.  We give thanks for things like our Faith, our family, faith, career, finances etc.  We don’t normally give thanks for little things…that fill our lives.  Certainly we should be thankful for these things also, but the process of thanksgiving forces us to think about the BIG picture things. Chances are that we may have many little things in life that are a struggle, but yet the BIG things in life will ultimately steer the ship right.

3. Thankfulness provides hope for the future

by reflecting on everything we have to be thankful for were setting up ourselves to have hope for the future.  Were able to think about all of the ways that things have gone right in the past, all of the good things we've been able to achieve and accomplish, and how God has consistently provided for us through good times and bad.  This sort of reflection can remind us what it is like to achieve our goals and to feel success in life.  Remembering these things tells us that we can once again achieve all of these things, and that once again we can reach our goals.

Get a pen and a piece of paper… (Remember top 3% write down their goals).Write down what you are thankful for. – This can be a simple process, of taking some time to make a list of things that you are thankful for.  The list can be numbering…1- 20 or possible in a journal or blog form. However you want to do it…just make sure you do it!

Now…Tell others about the things you are thankful for. There is power in confessing this out loud!!

There are very few things in life that have the power to encourage, inspire, and provide peace of mind and bring happiness all at the same time.  Being thankful is one of those things.

Happy Thanksgiving!