November is one of the greatest months of the year. It allows us all the chance to take on the challenge to find something to be thankful for each day. This task seems simple. However, I tend to be a generalist in my thankfulness to ensure that I did not miss anyone. Therefore my list shrinks quite fast which causes me to think about what I am truly grateful for. When I start pondering on what I am thankful for it puts my priorities in check. I find myself giving more and resisting the urgency to put "things" first. The sad fact about this entire concept of November being the month of Thanks is that we as a people (not all people) tend to not carry the mindset of thankfulness through the other eleven months of the year. This is the same concept as those who only donate to shelters and food banks only in December.
The act of giving should be daily remembering that you are not here alone. There are others who need our companionship, camaraderie and heart. When blessings are being poured out to you, you should be think outside the box of "you" and think of how to share the blessing with others. Not to say that you need to neglect you and your family but it could simply be sharing a smile with a cashier, a phone call to an old friend, a kiss to the spouse who you just had an argument with, a hug to a parent you haven't seen in awhile, or a card to someone who greatly contributed to who you are. These are just a few things that we as compassionate people can do to make this world an even greater place to live. We don't have to go outside the borders of our city, county or state to make a difference.
My hope is that this will encourage you today to look beyond your situation and make it better by making someone else's day light up. Pay it forward, pay beyond what you have and give from the heart. Do not make Thanksgiving a chore, yet enjoy those who surround you by showing you thankfulness for them. These small acts are not small to someone who needs to see the caring heart of one person. One person can change the world by one Act of Random Kindness.
To conclude I think it would be best to say, "I am thankful for those who everyday and every hour give beyond themselves, letting someone know that people are still kind and good."
