How to be Thankful this Thanksgiving Despite Recession

Thanksgiving is swiftly approaching once again. For many families, it is very easy to become stressed out because of the recession. Don't become depressed during this time of year by focusing on the negative. Instead, learn how to be thankful this Thanksgiving, despite the recession, by focusing on the positive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Think about what you do have instead of focusing on what you don't have. You may not have a lot of money. You may not be able to afford a turkey or Thanksgiving dinner. You may not even have family around during this Thanksgiving season. But what you do have is life. You have your health. And you have your strength. That is a whole lot more than people have who are buried six feet under the ground have. As long as you have breathe in your body, you will rise above the recession. You just have to stay focused. Understand that though things might not be looking too hot with your financial situation during this Thanksgiving year, next year will look a whole lot better. Thank God for life.

2. Be Thankful that God has given you dreams and purpose. He has given you a vision of what you are to become. Where you are right now is not where you are going to be. You are greater than the recession that is happening right now. The recession is only a form of distraction to keep you focused on the now instead of what you should be pursuing for your future. Don't become distracted. On Thanksgiving day, have yourself a "Vision" party. You don't have to have food for this party. Instead, throw on some of your favorite inspirational music and visualize yourself being in the place you would like to be this time next year. If you can conceive and believe it, you will definitely achieve it. Thank God for vision.

3. Do something as an act of faith to indicate that you believe your future is brighter than the recession. If you have a gift of writing, on this Thanksgiving day, make yourself sit down and write the first chapter to your book. If you have a gift of working with arts and crafts, create a project. Tap into those gifts that have been lying dormant inside of you. Thank God for the gifts that he has given you. That is something very special to be thankful for. If you start working your gift instead of allowing it to lie dormant inside of you, the gift will make room for you and take you into the presence of great people. Be thankful and believe that. Thank God for the gifts, the power to get wealth.

4. Take a walk in your local park to sit down and have a talk with some of the homeless people who are living there. Talking to them will help them because, as a homeless person, many times they have nobody to talk to. They have no one to listen to them. You don't have to say much while spending time with them. Just be a listening ear. As you sit and listen to them, it will make you realize just how thankful you should be. There is always somebody out there who is worse off than you. When you walk away from them you will walk away genuinely feeling more thankful. And who knows? The time you spend with the homeless person could possibly be the key to helping them come out of the situation they are in. You can motivate and encourage them. And as you motivate and encourage them, you will also be encouraging yourself. Words give life. Be thankful that God has given you words that you can use to encourage somebody else during their time of despair. Thank God that you have the power of life in your tongue.

5. Reach out for help. Don't have too much pride to reach out. Pride can be a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing. God wants you to be humble. He will provide for you as long as you are not too prideful to reach out and receive the help. If you do not have food to eat this Thanksgiving, there are many local churches and community organizations that can help provide meals or bags of groceries for you and your family. If you are a woman, check with the local YWCA. If you are a man, check with your local YMCA. You can also visit the United Way website. On the United Way website, you can locate a huge listing of organizations in your community that can help you. Thank God for the provision.

6. Understand that the recession you are facing right now is only a test and a trial. You will pass the test if you stand strong in your faith. Continue to believe and trust God, regardless of what it looks like. Understand that the test was only allowed to make you stronger. Understand that when the test is over, you will have a tremendous testimony of how God provided for you and helped your dreams and visions to come to pass. No test, no testimony. Thank God for the testimony.

[sleepyangel]

on 8/29/2009 Amen, amen! Well said, my friend! Amen!

[rozygal]

on 8/29/2009 hi
I really do take this to heart and I see you have a big one. I agree that the more we are thankful for the beauty, the love and the wonder of our lives, with family, friends, good things we do have, things that money can't buy -- we have so much!