Aging Backwards Tuesday Tips: Thanksgiving 2008

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." -- Eric Hoffer

We're constantly being bombarded with stories of violence, grief, the economic crisis, war and natural disasters, to name a few. It's important to keep up with current events, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. I like to turn the negative into a positive by reminding myself to be grateful for all of my blessings. Thanksgiving is a time to slow down, bond with family and friends, eat and talk turkey, and to give thanks, of course.

Here are some gratitude exercises:

1) Start a gratitude journal. Writing down all the reasons you have to feel grateful can really lift your spirits. Seeing it all in one place always reminds me of how fortunate I am.

2) Tell someone how you feel. We're so busy being productive individuals, which is a good thing, but sometimes we can take for granted those closest to us. Thanksgiving is a time to express your appreciation for your loved ones and all the joy that they bring into your life.

3) Give back. Studies show that people who volunteer on a regular basis are the healthiest and live the longest. There are sure to be organizations in your area that need volunteers to help serve Thanksgiving dinner. Don't know where to start? Check out VolunteerMatch to find a worthy cause in your local area.

4) Meet The Gratidudes. These fantastic young men are spreading the word worldwide that an attitude of gratitude is cool! You won't want to miss their Gratidude Dance!

5) Focus on the positive. I find that mindfully focusing on the good things in my life brings even more of those good things to me. Happiness is a choice and I choose to be happy daily. Why not make a conscious decision to have a great day when you wake up in the morning? See what can happen...

So, happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Make it a great day.