Twelve letters, two little words — thanks and giving. Put those together and it’s Thanksgiving! A time when we pause to give thanks!  Traditionally it was a time to give thanks for the harvest.  It was a time to celebrate the abundance stored for the winter season as well as to share the fruits of those labors with others. These traditions still occur as many of us cook bountiful meals to share with family and friends.  As we gather we often circle the table answering the question “What are you thankful for?”  Some people choke on a response to that and others readily have an answer.

Let’s think about a response that expresses thanks for what we have harvested in our personal lives. Consider the people, situations, challenges, hardships, events, blessings, and unexpected pleasures and pains that have made you the person you are today. Each of those has been a stepping stone on your life journey. Even though the walk may have not been easy street, what have you harvested in your life that you are thankful for? Who or what has given you the strength, courage, attitude, knowledge, skills, or confidence that you have today? What special gifts do you now have that are the harvests of your life? The answers to these questions offer much insight into what you personally value as well as a looking glass to your focus in the future.

We are also thankful for people, our quality of life, circumstances and opportunities. Many times it’s the small, everyday moments in life that really mean the most. Time with those we love, sharing conversation, a movie, a hobby or just loafing may seem insignificant, but are not.  In these experiences we find the chuckles and grins of everyday life that make it worthwhile.

We’ve talked about thanks, but there is another part of the word “Thanksgiving” and that is the word —- giving.  When we share our heart beat and special gifts, our genuine giving helps someone else. As people, we need each other. There are many ways to give back, such as a smile, speaking, listening, or providing help when needed. We can extend our hand in friendship.  In whatever we do, by connecting with another person a more important gift grows out of our actions. It could be the gift of hope, love, optimism or renewed enthusiasm for life. Those make all the difference!!!

Being thankful and giving is easy when life is running smoothly. It is when life tumbles down around us that it is often difficult to be either thankful or giving.  This is when we need new eyes to see that this turning point also has reasons for thankfulness. At those times, the simple, taken-for-granted, ordinary beat-of-life can ground us. Look for something that can shift the focus from crisis to thankfulness. I.M. Heart challenges you, this Thanksgiving, to give thanks for the everyday parts of your life that make your heart smile.  I.M. is asking you to open your heart to listen to its beat – to experience when it beats in love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, appreciation, understanding, thankfulness, hope, and praise. These are gifts from your heart to be cherished, enjoyed and shared – for you and with others. Many blessings!