Thanksgiving
http://www.setthestageforsuccess.com/articles/25063/1/Thanksgiving/Page1.html
Denise Kennard
Denise is the co-owner and administrator of Competent Care Home Health Nursing in Costa Mesa, California. She has over twenty years of experience in home health nursing, in both bedside care and managerial roles. Denise is a member of California Association for Health Services at Home and serve in two committees. She is also a member of National Association of Women Business Owners and the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.By Denise Kennard
Published on 12/7/2008
In the United States, we've recently enjoyed Thanksgiving celebrations
in our homes, churches, communities, and workplaces. It is a blessing
to live in a country that has its history punctuated with times of
gratitude for the "gracious gifts of the Most High God," as Abraham
Lincoln said in his Thanksgiving Proclamation ... How will you act on your gratitude this year?
In the United States, we've recently enjoyed Thanksgiving celebrations in our homes, churches, communities, and workplaces. It is a blessing to live in a country that has its history punctuated with times of gratitude for the "gracious gifts of the Most High God," as Abraham Lincoln said in his Thanksgiving Proclamation.
While Lincoln's encouragement to thanksgiving also included a call to penitence, prayer, and supplication for God's restoration of the nation, most of our Thanksgivings were followed by a crazed dash for bargains at the local retailers. I actually read two reports of tragedies inflicted by frenzied American shoppers. One story told of a WalMart employee trampled to death by New Yorkers; another, gun deaths after an argument in the parking lot of a California Toys R Us. Chilling accounts in any season, but following a national thanksgiving feast day? It seems like we are becoming a fruitful land populated by barren souls.
Now, it is not the intent of this article to fix souls. Unlike some modern writers, I don't claim to have secret knowledge to fill an empty heart. I'm just a nurse. Only God can heal your insides, and His cure isn't hidden from you either. It is, rather, my desire to share with you a simple encouragement to follow your own Thanksgiving Day.
As I pondered my blessings this year, I was reminded of a former patient. I've told you about him—it was "Thomas," the little baby born prematurely, who had to overcome many obstacles as he grew up. He recently graduated from college and sent me a moving thank-you note. Thomas' spirit of gratitude inspired me to follow up on my thankfulness this year.
Acting on your gratitude can take many forms. Sending a simple thank-you note can return a blessing. Perhaps you can remember a kindness done to you by someone to whom you can't return it. You can take that helpful deed and pay it forward to someone unsuspecting. Or think of that person who supported you when you really needed it, and do something special for her. Act on your gratitude.
When I think of Thomas, I am thankful for many things. I am grateful for the progress that he has made. I am thrilled that I was a part of his life and had the opportunity to help him. I am glad to see his accomplishments and the love and support of his family and friends. I am blessed by his spirit of wonder and joy in being alive.
This month, the owners and staff of Competent Care will be hosting a brunch to honor "Thomas" and his family. Thomas, and others like him, are the reason we do what we do. We will be acting on our gratitude for and with Thomas, rejoicing in his successes and in the opportunity to share his inspiring story. This special time will be a great follow up to a truly meaningful Thanksgiving Day.
How will you act on your gratitude this year?
While Lincoln's encouragement to thanksgiving also included a call to penitence, prayer, and supplication for God's restoration of the nation, most of our Thanksgivings were followed by a crazed dash for bargains at the local retailers. I actually read two reports of tragedies inflicted by frenzied American shoppers. One story told of a WalMart employee trampled to death by New Yorkers; another, gun deaths after an argument in the parking lot of a California Toys R Us. Chilling accounts in any season, but following a national thanksgiving feast day? It seems like we are becoming a fruitful land populated by barren souls.
Now, it is not the intent of this article to fix souls. Unlike some modern writers, I don't claim to have secret knowledge to fill an empty heart. I'm just a nurse. Only God can heal your insides, and His cure isn't hidden from you either. It is, rather, my desire to share with you a simple encouragement to follow your own Thanksgiving Day.
As I pondered my blessings this year, I was reminded of a former patient. I've told you about him—it was "Thomas," the little baby born prematurely, who had to overcome many obstacles as he grew up. He recently graduated from college and sent me a moving thank-you note. Thomas' spirit of gratitude inspired me to follow up on my thankfulness this year.
Acting on your gratitude can take many forms. Sending a simple thank-you note can return a blessing. Perhaps you can remember a kindness done to you by someone to whom you can't return it. You can take that helpful deed and pay it forward to someone unsuspecting. Or think of that person who supported you when you really needed it, and do something special for her. Act on your gratitude.
When I think of Thomas, I am thankful for many things. I am grateful for the progress that he has made. I am thrilled that I was a part of his life and had the opportunity to help him. I am glad to see his accomplishments and the love and support of his family and friends. I am blessed by his spirit of wonder and joy in being alive.
This month, the owners and staff of Competent Care will be hosting a brunch to honor "Thomas" and his family. Thomas, and others like him, are the reason we do what we do. We will be acting on our gratitude for and with Thomas, rejoicing in his successes and in the opportunity to share his inspiring story. This special time will be a great follow up to a truly meaningful Thanksgiving Day.
How will you act on your gratitude this year?