Having Turkey or Being A Turkey

In just another day it will be Thanksgiving. A time when folks to come together with friends and family to share all sorts of food, football, memories of times past. For many folks it is a time of sadness and even depression. Sitcoms made for TV movies and commercials have made every twist on this holiday which pull at our hearts and brings out even more emotions. Thanksgiving has certainly become the kick off for shopping, Christmas events surrounding the Holiday Season and the end of another year.

In my life, I have personally experienced Thanksgiving times to be both wonderful times and times when I could not get past my “pity party”. Somewhere in my life journey, I came to the realization that I could choose to make wonderful memories for my friends and family or I could roll around in that pity party which no one wants to join me.

I have attended Thanksgiving meals with both family and friends that were great, full of joy and being thankful for being together. I have also attended those dreaded meals where the air was so thick with tension and discomfort that even a chainsaw could not cut it. Many years I would feel sorry for myself and went through the motions. The one thing I did not want was for my children to go through the motions. I wanted to bring special and memory making into all our holidays.
As I began processing and pondering as I do and studying the Word of God, I knew that unless I applied the Word of God to these times and even when I have been alone, I see how each moment can be an awesome memory.

Does that mean that everything is great and wonderful? No, but I have found that even in the worst situations, that my attitude makes the difference.
So I want to encourage you to make memories of whatever you do with your Thanksgiving make it a great memory – for example – if you are alone, go do something for someone else. The purpose of this is to take the spotlight off of you. It is during these holiday times, folks in the fast food industry, grocery store, etc. have to deal with more than their share of customers. This is the very time you can be extra nice, thank them for serving you. You will find the more you take time to think of how to putting the positive note in someone else’s life, the more you will find that continuous thankfulness in your on life.

Secondly, take a minute to make a list, it can be as simple and as detailed as you would like, listing everything you are thankful for. When you begin with those simple things, you will find there are so many great things to be thankful for.
The year I determined to make memories of all those times with my children, it continued to over flow into our everyday lives and even those tough times, become memory making times. This year as you enter into Thanksgiving, give thanks. Look inside yourself – begin to making your list of how you can make a memory for someone else.

Happy Turkey Day – Gobble – Gobble – Gobble!