The pleasure in this was actually getting the photo before the hummingbird dashed away!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

What a great holiday.  Thanksgiving doesn’t require regular feeding of the economy, except the grocery store of course.    It doesn’t require weeks of preparation shopping, wrapping, and hiding presents.  It doesn’t require attending a party every week to socialize with important figures in your network. It doesn’t require agonizing about what to wear.  It doesn’t involve controversial topics which can polarize.

Thanksgiving is about calling to mind those things to be thankful for.  Everyone can participate in this exercise no matter your religious preferences, political views, or financial circumstances.  In fact, if everyone did participate in this exercise on a regular basis the world would be a much different place I think.

Being thankful for aspects of our existence helps us come to peace with our lives.   Try taking a moment to reflect on everything that enriches your life and create a top 10 list.  If you expand the list to 50 or 100 items, you start to look for everyday events that bring joy to you.  Focusing our thoughts on what is good in our lives helps us gain perspective about what isn’t so good.  When I practice this exercise I always gain renewed appreciation for my life and its simple pleasures.

I hope your Thanksgiving reminded you of all the positive aspects of your life and redirects your perspective of the coming Christmas Holiday.  Maybe by New Year’s you will be making note of the top 1000 simple pleasures that enrich your life and carry those into the New Year with you.  Happy Counting!