“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” ~ Anthony Robbins
I love Thanksgiving. Not the one day a year we proclaim it, but the act of giving thanks hourly, daily, etc. In fact I believe it’s why my life is so abundant and joyful.
Vocalizing my gratitude for even the simplest things in life was not something I practiced until a few years ago. Boy when I did, my life got even better!
I believe prosperity is a birthright. That we just need to practice this and live it each day.
You have the ability to determine how full your heart will be, how prosperous and abundant your life can be. My heart is full. I give thanks to all of you.
- A Gratitude Bowl
Pick a beautiful bowl in a central part of your home that can be used as a receptacle. Cut up small pieces of paper and place near the bowl with a pen. Every time you walk by it, write down something you are grateful for.It’s a snowball effect. The more gratitude you express the more aware of other blessings you will become. Then more blessings will come as you are attracting them with your gratitude vibrations.
When the bowl is full, make an offering if you’d like, by burning them in the fireplace. This way you make room for more blessings.
- Carry a Tiny Notebook
Jot down any idea, thought, quote or creative spark that comes your way throughout the day. As you open yourself and become receptive to blessings, more and more will come. Give thanks as you write these ideas and thoughts down and acknowledge their presence in your life.
- Exercise your Creativity
By performing an act of creativity you are expressing gratitude for your gifts and talents. You are welcoming a habit of being creative and giving attention to your genius. Energy flows where attention goes.
- Weekly Summit (Sunday Summit)
Once a week write down 30 things you are grateful for. They can be tiny or substantial. No matter the week you’ve had or your doubt, you’ll be blown away by how blessed you are after recounting them. This exercise gets easier and easier every week with practice. Plus it gives you 5 or 10 minutes to sit quickly, reflect and meditate on your week.
- Express your Gratitude Verbally
Every chance you get, tell someone or something (dogs, trees, flowers, etc) how much you are grateful and blessed for them. I stop those in military uniform, I write notes to wait staff, I waive and mouth thanks to the person that lets me into traffic in my car, the person that holds open the door for me, the lady at the post office, etc.It makes it real when you verbalize it. It rubs off on others. My 16 year old is possibly the most polite person I know. Parents and coaches tell me this all the time. We didn’t instruct him to say thank you to everyone, he just does it, because we do it. It’s infectious.
Join me on Facebook and the blog and join in on my 30 Day Abundance Challenge
I love these facts about Thanksgiving:
- 102 brave people set out in 1620 to cross treacherous seas for 66 days in search of freedom. (Thank you for being so brave to seek religious freedom)
- The pilgrims were befriended, when they needed it most, by Squanto, a Pawtuxet indian, how to cultivate corn, extract sap, catch fish and avoid poisonous plants. (Thank you for reaching out and helping the settlers).
- Govenor Bradford wanted to celebrate the pilgrims first corn harvest and invited the Native American allies to join them in a food fest for 3 days
- George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation which was repeated on one or more occasions by other presidents
- Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned for a national holiday for 36 years by publishing numerous editorials and letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians (Thank you for your efforts over 36 years and not giving up on this national holiday)
- Abraham Lincoln heeded her request and in 1863 made it a national holiday
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I enjoyed this very much, Tonya. Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
After an exhausting day of cooking, cleaning up and cooking again… I just want you to know how much I enjoyed your article on counting our blessings. I count your publication amoung my many blessings as it gives me the inspiration to expess my creativeness. Thank You!
Thank-you for sharing this, especially the origins of Thanksgiving. Living in Australia I often wondered about the reason for the celebration. I guess today we would call them asylum seekers.
I love the idea of the gratitude bowl, I’m going to look for a vessel to use right now.
Thank you for sharing the history of Thanksgiving. I did not realize the perseverance by one dedicated person to make Thanksgiving a national hoilday. I am grateful to her. And I am grateful to you for your energy to do so much for all of us. I try daily to thank others for simple things. It feels good, and it is fun to watch the surprised look on people’s faces. May everyone have a fun and safe holiday.
I am reading this on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which I also have off. I am very grateful to Sarah Hale for making this a holiday! It is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to gather, and does really make one reflect on how fortunate we are.
Thank you so much Tonya, for all your inspirational Musings and Mullings. We had a lovely Thanksgiving – – family came to visit – – and at the insistence of my granddaughter (8 yrs. old), we went around the table, each person expressing what they were most thankful/grateful for in their lives. Needless to say, the love and appreciation of family and friends was high on the list, and as many in the family are creative artists of some sort, inspiration coming from nature, all objects and sources was a high second!. Wishing you continued success and love, I am one of your grateful followers! Happy Thanksgiving!
I am descended from three of those families that landed at Plymouth Rock. I am ever grateful that they had the courage to seek a new home, a free life, and the skill to create a new world out of a wilderness. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for the reminder to “be present”. I sometimes get so overwhelmed that I just shut down.My kids need me more than they need the perfectly decorated house. Thanks for the great advice.
Thanks for these great ideas, Tonya! There’s no excuse not to practice gratitude!
i am very thankful and grateful for your kind and beneficial work that you have blessed us with on a daily basis. Tonya there are very few people in my life who can match your dedication to the people in your life. it is rare for a business owner to make her customers both her clients and friends. It is an honor to be counted as both. i am looking forward to 2012 as I will be able to set up my new studio and start working again.
thank you for your blessings and encouragement.
Ellie
Although I’m reading this a little late, thank you for these great ideas. I’m glad to say that I love my life but it’s always helpful to find more ways to appreciate it. I’m sure my son will love the gratitude bowl too (might have to make our own special bowl over the holidays).