Being Thankful

Sometimes it seems as if maintaining a positive mental outlook is impossible. Life just has a way of stressing us out - especially near the holidays. Our jobs are often a source of this stress. Many of us worry about money or our health. We worry that our "to-do" list just keeps getting longer and longer. Too many of us lose sight of what's really important, such as spending time with family and friends. That's why it's a good idea to just sit back and think about what we have to be thankful for. Instead of paying so much attention to your "to-do" list, make a list of everything in your life that makes you happy.

Spending time with loved ones, especially on Thanksgiving, is a gift. We are blessed to live in a country where we have so much freedom. Our country is one of the strongest nations of the world - and this strength comes from everyday people such as yourself. We may not always agree with our current leaders, but at least we have the freedom to disagree without fear of punishment or loss of life. Other people around the world certainly don't have that same freedom.

Many people have been affected by the changes in the economy during recent years. Our housing markets have undergone ups and downs that have affected people of all income levels. The fluctuations in the job market have put many of us out of work or led us to jobs where we are under employed. And while that can definitely be a cause for concern, we should be thankful for what we do have. After all, we still have food on the table. A roof over our heads. Maintaining healthy relationships. Friends and family that care about us. All of that is much more important than what's in our bank accounts.

Being thankful for what we have and maintaining a positive mental outlook isn't always easy. However, we should definitely pay attention to the good things in our lives. Most of the time the positive aspects far outweigh the negative aspects. Life certainly isn't always easy. But going through the hard times can certainly lead to us appreciating the good times and the people we have that support us as we move forward. And that is exactly what we need to keep sight of - not just now but all year around.