This is one of my  favorite holidays. This is a non-religious, all-American holiday. And it involves gratefulness, family, friends, and good comforting food.

As I write, the turkey is almost defrosted and the aroma of my organic fresh pumpkin pie is wafting about the house. Daughter #1 arrives from Denver early tomorrow morning. Daughter #2 is coming home from college tonight after hanging out with her friends. I’m thinking board games, and perhaps charades could be fun some time over the weekend.

Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine  and author of The Compound Effect says, “To be great, be grateful”.

Darren’s come up with a Thanksgiving challenge. He suggests:

 “My challenge to you is to think of an area of your life you are
having difficulty in and want to improve. For the next 21 days, take
three minutes at the end of the day and write down what about that
problematic situation you appreciate, what’s good and what you’re
grateful for. This could be a confrontational co-worker at the office,
your job as a whole or your troubled marriage… anything or anyone that
frustrates or negatively affects you.

I promise you, when you change how you look at a situation, the situation changes.”

I’ve decided to take up this challenge and for the next 21 days, I will journal my entries here and declare what I am committed to being grateful for.

Consider this day 1 of the challenge.

Ive received a lot of wonderful greetings from friends around the
country and am planning to gather with family tomorrow in Orange County.
I’ll be with family, extended family and will probably meet new friends. I’m blessed with good health, a good
marriage, a great family, and so much more. I am grateful that I do have a few minutes each day to acknowledge my good fortune, and am struggling to make time to share it with others.
I am thankful for every moment. It is a gift. I resolve to be more involved in my community. I have gifts of time and limited treasure to share. I hope to make steps to become a more rounded person in this regard.

I wish everyone who happens to take some time and read this blog a very Happy Thanksgiving.