My favorite Holiday is near, Thanksgiving Day, not only is it the kick off of the end of the year Holidays, it is also my Birthday week. Growing up November was full of family birthdays, my mother and 3 siblings were also born in November, however I was the only Sagittarian. I remember the excitement of helping prep for Thanksgiving dinner. The smell of pies and cakes baking the night before and my mother and great aunt starting giblets for dressing and gravy, and cleaning greens. Perhaps that is where my passion for cooking all began.

As a child I didn’t think much about being thankful for everything we had, the family, the love, the being together during the Holiday season. It was something I took for granted. Of course, we had to say grace before eating and that was every family meal, but I never thought about what that really meant. I never thought about other families who didn’t have what we had or how Blessed we were. I took for granted family and friends who stopped by later in the evening to visit and have cocktails.

Gratitude is the act of feeling and communicating appreciation for the people, circumstances and material possessions in our lives. Showing and feeling gratitude actually boosts dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitters in our brain. Today more than ever with the world being in the chaotic state that it is, practicing gratitude is important to our well-being and peace of mind.

One way I practice gratitude is saying a prayer thanking God for everything I have in my life. As well before bed I speak aloud three things that I am grateful for that took place that day. You would be surprised how these two simple exercises improve your state of mind and feeling of being connected. Being grateful allows us to see value, virtue, and benefit in everything. Gratitude cultivates wellbeing. The root word of gratitude is gratis, meaning pleasing, welcome, and agreeable. All of these words signify positive moods, actions, and ideas.

As an adult, I have grown not to take things for granted, I have grown to appreciate and give thanks to my Angels who have protected me throughout my life. I have grown to appreciate my parents, their hard work and struggle to give their children the best life they could. I never felt lack as a child, we always had food, clothing and a home.

I wasn’t appreciative when I had to go to the local library every week, check out two books, and give my mom am oral book report. I would have rather been playing with friends. Years later I realized she was preparing us for the world we would have to live in. I thank God that before she passed I was able to tell her how much I truly appreciated her foresight and wisdom.

This blog was not meant to be a long one, I wanted to stimulate in your mind and heart the practice of gratitude. This Thanksgiving Day let us recognize the blessings in our lives and thank God for our families, friends, talents and everything else we have. I pray that you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Until next time,

Love, Peace, and Blessings❤