Give Thanks and Give Back!

Side note:  There is a craft fair in Owasso this weekend.  All proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  It is held in memory of Haley Palmer.  For more information visit www.owassocraftfair.blogspot.com.  This is a way for you to help make a difference and help find a cure for this devastating disease, and do a little holiday shopping while you are at it!

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.  

~Meister Eckhart

I volunteered at the Special Olympics this past year.  It was incredible!  These special children are so amazing.  Words cannot describe it!  They have an ambiance about them that is contagious and an outlook on life that is inspiring.  God made these children special for a reason, actually many reasons.  One of them, I believe to be to show others how to truly live life and realize that regardless of what happens in life, we are blessed and we should be thankful.

Sometimes I struggle, but I sure wish I didn't, and I realize I have a lot of faults and I have a lot to work on about being positive and taking the good from many situations.  However, I have said this many times, and I say it again today, I wish that certain people could just spend one day with me at work and maybe they would get a glimpse into how lucky they are to be alive.  There are times when I deal with heartbreak after heartbreak, sick kid after really really sick kid, abuse after abuse, well you get the drift...

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

And it is these days that I find myself having a hard time being sympathetic.  I know life sucks sometimes.  But I just wish that people would realize that some where someone else is struggling with so much more, and no doubt its probably someone so close to home.

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.  ~Johannes A. Gaertner

Mistakes happen.  Life doesn't always go as planned.  Things change.  Plans get messed up.  So what though.  Of all the blessings and tragedies that make up this thing we call life, one thing remains a constant, no matter what, without any if, ands, or buts....that thing is God.  Most of us are blessed to live a life full of so much blessing and health that we are just so used to it and take for granted the simple things in life.  God has blessed each and every one of us beyond what we deserve.  And I will be the first to admit that I am just as guilty as the next person to think, "Why me?"  But I challenge all you, my dear friends, people, blog stalkers followers, the next time you are asking "why me?" take a second, think about all of your blessings, think about your health and your family and all your other loved ones, and say "thanks!"

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.  ~Seneca

November is commonly thought of as a month of giving thanks.  Please make it a priority to take time this month and think of all the things you are thankful for.  Take time, if you so desire, to give a shout up to God, tell the Good Man thanks for all he does!

Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.  ~A.W. Tozer
 

I wish we could all live a life full of positivity like the kids in the Special Olympics.  We can, however, attempt to live our life to a life of purpose and thankfulness.  What are you thankful for today?

Bonus video:  This is a must watch video that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face:  If only we could all be like this little girl. :)