Thursday, November 21, 2013

Thankful

When I first read the prompt for this week's Finish the Sentence Friday, I was less than excited.  (Sorry ladies - you know I love you!)  You see, listing things I'm thankful for seemed a little boring and cliche at this time of the year.  Then, our lovely hostesses announced that there would be a second option this week.  I could write based on the prompt "When I think of the word "pilgrim," I think . . .   

Yeah.  I decided to stick with boring and cliche. :-)

Looking for a little inspiration, I googled "quotes about thankfulness."  Of course, I found hundreds of them. 

Since I'm a writer, you know I love words and I find that words can be very inspirational.  As I was reading all of these quotes, I realized that there really is nothing boring or cliche about being thankful and showing gratitude.  I think, sometimes, we get so caught up in our crazy, busy lives that we just don't take the time to count our blessings - literally count our blessings.  We are bombarded with advertisements and comparisons that leave us wanting more; wanting better; wanting....wanting.  

The truth is, I am supremely blessed and should, therefore, be supremely grateful and thankful.  

So.....

Right now, I'm thankful for . . . . 
  • My family. My beautiful kids.  My wonderful husband and our solid marriage.  My amazing parents.  My brother.  All of my in-laws.  My nieces and nephews.  I am thankful that my parents taught me to value my family and that I have such a wonderful one.
  • My house.  So many people would love to have just a roof over their heads.  I am blessed to have a lovely home that is spacious, safe, and warm.  It is filled with memories and love.
  • My friends.  My online blogging friends whom I have never met, but who know me as well as anyone.  My "in real life" friends who are supportive and encouraging.  The friends that are too far away and the friends who used to be.
  • All of the modern conveniences that make my life so much easier and more efficient. 
  • Teachers who inspired me and challenged me.  Teachers who now inspire and challenge my kids.
  • Freedom to be who I want and live how I wish in a country where all are welcome.
  • Music that sparks something in my heart; makes me feel something in my soul.
  • Words that I can speak or write to express myself and that bring me closer to the people I love.
  • The little, trivial things in life like coffee, warm pajamas, delicious food, good books and movies, smell-good candles, fluffy towels, and chocolate.
  • Right now, I'm also thankful for these quotes that inspired me and reminded me that gratitude is NEVER frivolous or trite.







Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  May you count your blessings and be grateful today, tomorrow, and always!

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This post was written as part of Finish The Sentence Friday.  FTSF is hosted by some wonderful blogging ladies.  Please give them a visit and check out all the other blogs that participate as well!

Stephanie at Mommy, for Real
Kristi at Finding Ninee
Janine's Confessions of A Mommyaholic









33 comments:

Janine Huldie said...

Totally counting my blessings too right about now and have to say as crazy as things get, I am just happy that this is indeed my life and couldn't have asked for better. Sounds cliched, too but so true! Thanks for sharing all those quotes and seriously put a much needed smile on my face tonight and by the way, we love you, too!! :)

Kristi - Finding Ninee said...

I chose the Pilgrim one and so far think that I'm the only one (gulp). Your list of thankful blessings is perfect and amazing. I love love love the quotes and pinable boxes.

southmainmuse said...

That Bonhoeffer quote summed up what leaped out at me from this post. Your point about coffee and pajamas, good books and candles. I always burn scented candles this time of year. Funny how something so simple can bring me such peace.

KatiaDBE said...

Lisa, your introduction today was hilarious! Also, you're so right about the power of literally counting your blessings. I've been doing that before I go to sleep now and I think it helps me maintain a much more positive outlook.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I felt the same way! I really enjoyed reading these quotes and making the little graphics. It was a good reminder!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks Katia! I love the ritual of doing that every night before going to bed!

Kenya G. Johnson said...

Love that last one! So true. I tell Christopher that all the time. Now I shall go make myself and afternoon cup of coffee. ;-) Thank you for THAT inspiration.

Dana said...

We can never have too many reminders to be thankful. The last quote is my favorite. So thankful for blogger friends who remind me to count my blessings!

Stephanie Sprenger said...

Love those quotes! And- ha!- that opening bit made me laugh, especially since you went with the "boring" one! ;) So funny... I too am grateful for my blog friends, who play a very real role in my life.

Considerer said...

Boring and cliche huh? Guess that's why we never see you at TToT :p


Great quotes though - you found some really good ones. AND some lovely things to be thankful about in your life :)

Kelly McKenzie said...

"Count your blessings and your problems..." was the perfect takeaway for me today. Thank you! I'm off to recount.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Ha! They are somewhat necessary, aren't they?

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

You're welcome!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Agreed! My blogger friends are doe of my best friends!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I'm typically pretty boring, so I decided to own it! :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Touche my friend!! Although, in my defense, I meant that it is cliche this time of year because everyone is doing it and I love your weekly reminders to be thankful! Besides, I did say I'm thankful for my online friends and that certainly includes you!! :-)

christine said...

I normally put a quote at the beginning of my TToT post each week, and in all of my googling, I have never seen a single one of these quotes. You found some good ones!
I really hope these 30 days of thankful people do all month stick. It really is important to actually look at the blessings in our lives all year long.

Dayngr said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well! I'm a quote collector and right now I'm reading Brene Brown's "The Gift of Imperfection" and loving it.

Kristi said...

Great list, and great quotes!

Beth Teliho said...

I know what you mean by being sort of "over" the thankful stuff by this time of November, but you did a GREAT job of rallying and coming up with perfect thankfuls and a great theme overall, which is SO true! And I love your one on modern conveniences...I always think of that, too!

Kate Hall said...

I felt the same way about the sentence, cliche. But I felt like we couldn't ignore it, since I've skipped over past holidays. Oops. :-) I'm waiting to get one of Brene Brown's books at the library. I have it on hold. I've heard great things about her.

Michelle Nahom said...

I love that quote that somewhere someone else is happy with less than you have. It's so true, and it's a good reminder to us that we all have a lot to be thankful for!

Chris Carter said...

Oh how I just LOVE THOSE QUOTES!!!! I want them ALL a frame and in my house. LOVE how you took that perspective in this "thanksgiving mode" momentum... :) XOXO

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Those 30 days of thankful things kind of get on my nerves. I have the same philosophy about Valentines day - if you can't say it the other 364 days of the year don't say it today. I really am grateful for all that I have and do try to show it all year long!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I haven't read any of her books, but I did love that quote.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks! It just seems "overdone" this time of year to the point that it loses some of the meaning. We really do have lots to be grateful for, though!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I haven't read any of her books, but I liked that quote. Sometimes Soemtimes cliche is just what works best! :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Yes, it is! A while back it was circulating on Facebook among lots of my friends. It's been a while, but it stuck with me.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Sometimes, I think we should all frame them and put them on our walls! :-)

AnnMarie Gubenko said...

Those quotes do get you in the mood to be thankful! This post inspired me to get on it and write a thankful post of my own.

Jennifer Hall said...

I LOVE that last quote so much!

Ilene Evans said...

Music! yes! And the little things! Coffee. I need to remind myself to be more thankful for coffee. Every day as a matter of fact.

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