Motivational Monday 13 - The Thanksgiving Post

Image courtesy of Sabrina Bailey from The Red Room Photography

Happy Thanksgiving week everybody! No matter what your take is on the history of the holiday, remember that it’s still a time to take a step back and acknowledge all of the blessings that you’ve received. There’s a lot of negativity in the world today, and a lot of complaining about pretty much everything, so it’s important to take the time to stop complaining and give thanks for the good things in life.

I think the most common complaints that I hear are about jobs/employers, the lack of support from family members, and money. I know a lot of people who can always find something to complain about. I can even find stuff to complain about. Sometimes we have legit reasons to be upset, but that doesn’t mean we have to let these unfortunate things keep us from being happy. No matter how bad your life may seem, there’s always something to be thankful for.

People complain about their jobs a lot. They either don’t get enough hours, they get too many hours, they’re denied certain benefits due to them, etc. It’s reasonable to be upset about this stuff, but don’t let it keep you from being thankful. Do you know how many people are looking for jobs and would be happy to take on the one you spend your time complaining about? Think about how you would really feel if you lost this job. Would you really be happier? Whatever the answer, realize that you are blessed to have a job in this economy.

Other things I hear people complain about are their family members, whether direct or extended. I myself have complained about certain family members. They don’t help out around the house, their sole purpose in life seems to be to make your life harder, they’re freeloaders, they take advantage of you… the list can go on. However, when you start to get upset about a family member (or even a friend for that matter), think about how many people have nobody to turn to or talk to on a daily basis. And when you contemplate spending time with that family member this holiday season who you would rather not have to deal with, think about how many people won’t have anyone to spend the holiday season with.

Image courtesy of google images.

I don’t think I know a single person over the age of ten who has not, at some point, complained about money. Money makes the world go ‘round, after all, and if you don’t have it, then you can’t buy the stuff that you want. But then, even if you don’t have the money, you can buy stuff, and go into tons of debt. People are going to go out this Friday and spend a ton of money on stuff that they really don’t need, and probably charge a lot on a credit card that they can’t afford. Money is a sensitive subject. But I think it’s important to think about all those people in the world who can’t even afford to give their children adequate nutrition on a daily basis. Think about those who can’t afford to take care of their families and watch their loved ones starve to death. Money might be a tough subject in your life, but it isn’t as tough as it is for some people.

Sometimes it’s okay to complain. Our complaints aren’t always unfounded, and we have a right to have them. It’s when our complaints become more numerous than our joys that we see a problem develop. So this holiday season, instead of complaining that you have to work on the holiday, be thankful that you have a job; or, if you don’t have a job, be thankful that you don’t have to work during the holidays. And when you have to spend time with people that you don’t particularly like, think about all those people who will be spending the holidays lonely. And when it comes to money, think about those who are less fortunate than you are. Realize that you are blessed, no matter your situation.

As the wise Albus Dumbledore put it, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

Image courtesy of google images.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Molly