Discussion Topic #16: GRATITUDE--What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?

i am grateful that Lord placed me on this earth to mother my children and be a good wife!

I try to hold an attitude of gratitude at all times but at this season it's time to share those thoughts. First, all 28 members of my family seem to be in good health and thriving, especially the youngest who was born early and had a difficult time for several months. I'm grateful to see his chubby cheeks and big smile in photos now.

Second, employment seems to be shaping up for most of them as well.

Third, we are all safe, and have a roof over our heads and the company of each other. In view of how many on this earth do not have those things, we are rich indeed.

Fourth, I'm grateful for the beauty of this earth and for the creatures with whom we share it. I'm glad there are things my family can do to overcome the problems we humans have created here. I'm grateful it has become a topic of news and conversation at this time.

I try to be grateful for many things everyday. They don't have to be big. Little things are fine with me. It makes me appreciate my days better. But then Thanksgiving and Christmas come and it seems as if all the many things to be grateful almost take on a magical aura to them, and it is even more wonderful. We are big decorators for the holidays and it is so easy to be happy and joyous with lights and tree and a table full of food. I love going to Midnight Mass although I am very much disappointed with my church, but the Mass is beautiful. The singing spectacular and the miracle of Christmas all to wonderful and nothing can take that away. When we come out after Mass I always think how much more beautiful the sky is and how happy the cold air makes me feel even if I shiver, and i think I have another year to be grateful for these few hours when the Mass was the most important activity I could join, and so many other people there too for the same reason. And for a little while I am filled with all the hope for all the good that can be in the world, and it feels very good to hope, even if sometimes it seems good does end up coming in small doses.

I am grateful to you Carla for lighting the way to thoughtful and mindful choices.

I think about the only thing really worth mentioning in my case is that I am ever so thankful that I have been granted the gift of knowing God well enough to know that the future will be so much better than it is now for this world.

As many countless things I have to be thankful for I cannot in good conscience enjoy them while knowing what is really going on in this world that is causing such suffering for so many ... and those problems could all be so easily solved just by a very slight change of human attitude that then cascade into a waiting spiritual re-birthing that would spread all over this world and do away with all fear and it's hatred and greed.

It is only that which would truly make me thankful to the degree I would prefer to be.

My gratitude encompasses every aspect of my life. I have an amazing family. My home is comfortable and safe. I truely believe in God and in the future.

Counting my blessings comes naturally to me. It's good to have a day set aside for it as well though. I am particularly thankful for friends who love me despite my short comings, and for the natural world, and the reverent moments it brings to me.

I'm greatful, when I wake up in the nmorning and my kids run to give me a goodmorning hug.

Thanks, TK. How nice of you to say that. What I do here I love and receive so much in return. I am grateful to Gather and the opportunity to connect and share with so many interesting people from all around the world. You are all wonderful!

Also, as I consider the blessings in my life, my incredible husband of 18 years who is also my best friend, and all the friends that I have made over the years, something comes to me now that I hadn't expected. I realize how grateful I am for what I have learned from the most difficult challenges in my life and how I have grown as a person from these experiences. Although they haven't been easy and have been downright painful at times, they have strengthened me and challenged me to become more spiritually centered.

There is so much in my life to be grateful for that it's hard to know where to begin. I am grateful that I have a connection to a God who loves, guides, and protects me. I am grateful for the relationships I enjoy with the others in my life, for my health, wealth, and well-being.

It's taken quite a while to come to this conclusion, but I now realize that everyday is gift. My challenge is to live humbly in the moment enough to realize and actualize that truth. This perspective of ALL as GIFT informs my notion of gratitude, entirely.

Grateful for my family and friends.

I am grateful everyday for the spiritual truths that have been shown to me that have turned my life around. Without those truths life wouldn't be all that enjoyable, for a crushed spirit who can bear? I thank God every day for a NEW day, and give thanks that Spirit has shown me how to be an overcomer.

I am grateful to you for reminding me how grateful I am for everything I have in my life!
thank you
love, light and nature

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am grateful for all of you and the conversations that we have on Gather throughout the year. Thanks for being open-minded and willing to share your truth with all of us.

Ten unsolicited points from the world's worst connection, Merry whatever you celebrate.

A lot of things to be grateful for - Gratitude