THE STRENGTH IN APPRECIATION

I was about 6 years old standing in our kitchen on Thanksgiving Day when I understood poverty and dysfunction for the first time.

I grew up in a house with both parents, which in my neighborhood was rare. They both held lucrative careers, and that too, was a rarity. This would land us in the category of "middle class or well-off."

My parents worked hard to provide everything that we needed plus luxuries that were not afforded to many. We ate good, we dressed in new clothes, and on birthdays and holidays we received an abundance of gifts.

I know we lived "paycheck to paycheck" and my parents at times had to "rob Peter to pay Paul." I only knew this because we often had to jimmy rigg the water when it was shut off from non-payment.

These things never made me feel "poor, poverty stricken, or dysfunctional." In fact, I felt like royalty in comparison to some friends that I grew up with.

My mom was incredible at cooking. She made dinner every night of the week and on holidays she went all out. Thanksgiving morning she would wake while it was still dark out to prepare the turkey and I would wake up too just so I could watch her.

The aroma that filled the house made me so happy and thankful. Our house was the epitome of cozy, comfort, and blessed on those mornings.

Staring out of the window that particular Thanksgiving Day, I saw a man clearly aggravated. He was yelling and kicking the fence. I was confused and shocked but I kept watching. A woman walked several feet behind him and she was just as aggravated as he was.

They were screaming profanities at each other and that's when my mom noticed that I was watching their feud. She said for me to get away from the window and I did but she could clearly see how upset I was.

"I don't understand why they are fighting. I don't understand why they are not celebrating Thanksgiving. They should be home cooking." That day my eyes of understanding were enlightened. My mom explained that some people are less fortunate than we are and they may not have money to buy food, or a house to celebrate in, or family to share the holidays with.

She did her best to comfort me but the truth is I never had another Thanksgiving without having a tiny bit of sadness for the less fortunate.

I am a couple decades older now (more like several haha) and I continue with the traditions that my mom established.

I wake at the crack of dawn to get "Big Bertha" stuffed and ready for the oven. The day before, my daughters and I make all of the desserts and homemade croutons. We smile ear to ear the entire week of Thanksgiving. We are all so happy, thankful and blessed.

However, I always reminisce of the couple that broke my heart. I wish I could have ran out there and lectured them on all of the reasons they too should be happy.

No matter the predicament, despite how difficult things are, every person has at least one reason to be appreciative.

When you focus on being grateful and appreciative, the light of good dispels the darkness. Love and hate cannot dwell together. It is impossible to think positive thoughts simultaneously with negative.

Where you place your attention is where you place your energy. You can change your entire life by purposing and focusing your thoughts on appreciation.

Secondary to this, when you give of yourself to another in need, you will in fact replenish and rejuvenate your being.

Giving and receiving go hand in hand. This is a constant circle around you. "Give and it shall be given..." and I challenge you to research the continuation of this verse. What you will find may be the solution to your problems.

This is one of the happiest weeks of my life and I am appreciative for so much. I honestly think if I attempted to write them all, my fingers would fall off in the process.

I truly believe that the more I focus on being grateful, the more is added to my list.

I know that if you increase your journey of appreciation, you will have an abundance.

YOU ARE DESIGNED TO REIGN IN LIFE

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