Twenty-Twenty  has been one heck of year as much of the world is entrenched with COVID-19, many on the verge of poverty and homelessness. I know It seems pretty bleak as someone who lives in the United States it was been particularly difficult with lockdowns, with the family home and homeschooling. I obviously shouldn’t complain compared to last November when I lost my job I was in a much worse place. This year has had some major blessings with finding a job in January and then finding an even better one in July but I must remember all of those who are suffering as we speak, many getting sick, dying , losing their homes and livelihoods. Having the opportunity to work from school has been one of the biggest joys and struggles of adjustments to make. Along with my seven-year-old homeschooling and me working while not being in an office for the first time ever.

But one of the hardest situations I have struggled with until now is the state of our country , being that we are in an election year seeing our country essentially tear each other apart as if we are two different species of people.  Whether you are in America, United Kingdom or anywhere else on the globe treating each other so poorly is not something anyone should see. Yes we all have our beliefs, our values but we are also all human beings who really need to be thankful for the lives we live. I truly believe we live in a country that lives better in the terms on wealth yet many are so unthankful to realize what is important.

Being that’s its Thanksgiving next week I really do reflect on thankfulness regularly and not just when we get close to the holiday and at this time it’s a good reminder that we should be thankful, here are some tips to help get us there:

1. Every day, say aloud three good things that happened – This can be turned into an activity you can share with your family, around the dinner table expressing gratitude aloud when your alone.

2. Keep a gratitude journal – Write down  the small things from your day that mattered to you, in those few minutes of quiet time, on your drive to work fitting in those moments when you can write down what you are grateful for.

3. Say thanks to your partner – Couples who express gratitude toward one another set up a powerful feedback loop of intimacy and trust, where both partners feel as if their needs are being met.

4. Cool a hot temper with a quick gratitude inventory – Take a moment to do a quick inventory of five things you are thankful for in the moment, it could be health, family, a great memory giving you a chance to lose the temper and put things in perspective.

5. Thank yourself – Gratitude doesn’t always need to be focused on what other people have done for you! make sure you give yourself a thank you for the healthy habits you cultivated in your life.

6. Savor the good moments – Stop and smell the roses as the old saying goes. remember the good moments in your life, the memories and the joys we all have them even the little moments

7. Check for silver linings – Even the most difficult life challenges come with some benefit – you just have to look to find them. When things grow hard, ask yourself: What is good here?

8. Look outward, not inward – Empathy for others can trigger a sense of gratitude, and people who have an outward focus tend to experience stronger beliefs

9. Change your perspective – If you struggle to come up with something to feel grateful for, put yourself in the shoes of someone who is experiencing misfortunes greater than your own.

My post is not meant to be political in anyway but just a reflection that the world is looking at us and probably thinking, America what is going with you? I get it and I can’t help to feel sad and disappointed about our direction as people, a country and realize we have a lot of work to do.

I am thankful I get the chance to have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, two jobs, a car, some money, a beautiful wife and daughter that I adore and hopefully adore me back (Haha). At the end of day, the people in our life is what is important not things although I get things like a big home, money, a nice car do make life a whole lot sweeter and more comfortable but I believe money and wealth will not buy you happiness because if that was true why do so many rich and famous take their lives.

Back to my point, what are you thankful for? Are you thankful for good health, your family, your education whatever it may be remember why your thankful?  Each morning is so important to just thank the stars that you have something to be thankful for, many today don’t feel they can. Many today are having lost complete hope as they look around. I remember those days in my life when the outside appeared, I had everything, and one would say I have nothing to be unhappy or unthankful for.

As my family and I celebrate Thanksgiving reflecting on the year, my life and years of thanks remembering that I could be in far worse place in my life and have been, but we must give thanks. Many of you who may read this may think I have nothing to be thankful for, I lost my job, I am sick, no money, negative, negative, negative. I get it , its tough to see the good in your life, remembering even life itself is a gift and we should thankful, as someone who has suffered with manic depression and who at one point lost sight of my life and giving thanks remembering life is short and we must live it  to the fullest appreciating it regardless of the ups and downs it is worth appreciating and being thankful.

This year certainly has been tough, the word tough many be an understatement, but this is the time of year to tell those in your life you are thankful for them, you love them and show it in a social distancing kind of way.

I know not everyone will share my sentiment of thankfulness as many will reflect on what is wrong with the world and their lives spreading hate and dissatisfaction online and to those around them and I say Stop. Stop being unthankful, stop hating and remember it’s not us versus them, we are one all human and should treat each other as such, regardless if you agree with ones beliefs and values or not just be kind, be thankful and remember what is in important in your life.

Again if this message came off preachy I apologize, my heart and intentions are good and felt it in my heart to remember what is important and so should you! Wishing all those who celebrate Thanksgiving a peaceful holiday and if you don’t celebrate, you can still be thankful every day of the year.