Thank You...
'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.
— Alice WalkerDespite all of the discord in our world today, there are still so many reasons to be thankful.
What better time to reflect on all of the 'good' around us than when it is possible that events surrounding us may cause us to lose sight of all of the ways we are blessed.
(This article was originally published some years ago but it needed some updating; here it is.)
These words...thank you... have taken on an even greater meaning to me because of all of the illness in my family.
So many reach out to us and show concern and caring...and even though I feel that those two tiny words often do not convey how appreciative I am ...they are universally understood ...
Give more, don't expect not to be repaid. Give more thanks for what you haven’t expected but received!
— ― Israelmore Ayivor
Not an Island
Some of what you have to be thankful for has to do with others. Your life makes a difference in large part because you touch lives everyday. Because of some words or deed that you do that impacts others in a positive way, you make their world a better place. It costs nothing to show kindness. It impacts lives in ways you do not even realize.
When I see you extend kindness to others, when I see you being patient with a young child or an elderly person, I am filled with thanks. Because you care enough to be kind, to be thoughtful, I am thankful because all of us are in this together.
Each time you interact, you have the opportunity to make another person's day.. Kindness costs you nothing
What happens to one of us does impact each of us at some point. John Donne's words "no man is an island" remain as true today as they were when he first wrote them.
I was thankful for a broken down van to live in when I was homeless. Now I am thankful for the car, in working condition, that is perched in my driveway.
Thankful too for so much more that is not about things.
Perspective
A large passenger train was crossing the country. After they had gone some distance, one of the two engines broke down.
“No problem,” the engineer thought and carried on at half power. Farther on down the line, the other engine broke down and the train came to a standstill.
The engineer decided he should inform the passengers about why the train had stopped, and made the following announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time.
The good news is that you’re not in an airplane.”
Source: http://www.funnycleanjokes.com/jokes/types-of-jokes/life-jokes/
It's about how we view what happens, isn't it?
Thankful for those who serve in our branches of the military
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
— William Arthur WardThankful
You have been given today.
You make the day better for someone.
You are loved by someone.
You live in this country! With all of its imperfections, you are blessed to live here. We have so much freedom.Whether you agree with how everything works, in our country our freedom of speech is reason enough to be thankful every day.
You can overcome those mountains that you face.
You are special and unique.
You have a world of beautiful things in nature to admire.
Add your own reasons....
Slipping away
My thoughts above were written well over a year ago.
I remain ever thankful for the freedom in our country. I am shaken each day though as I witness the erosion of freedoms that I have taken for granted each day.
Thankful for a sister and a grandson
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
— Marcel ProustMore quotes to consider
Scarlton shared this fun-filled collection of quotes that will keep you smiling from beginning to end
http://scarlton.hubpages.com/hub/life-quotes-humor
Ripplemaker has collected quotes that inspire that you will be glad you have read. http://ripplemaker.hubpages.com/hub/powerful_inspirationalquotes
Nature's Beauty at Venice Beach, Florida
We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.
— Harry A. IronsideMake Every Day Count
To single out the one thing I am most thankful for was easy for me.
The first reason to be thankful is the dawning of a new day. Waking up to have another day to experience, to explore, to discover, to share, to become. .
As long as we are alive, there is always hope. If yesterday was not a 'great day' for whatever reason, this is a new day. A new opportunity to find a solution to any problem. And sometimes that means being unafraid to ask for help.
Facing a catastrophic illness? It isn't over till its over.
Choose to be thankful for each day. Get up and get on with living.
The alternative is: give up and give in.
Push through the pain. Get on with the business of making every day count.
Live today.
Try not to live tomorrow or next week or next month right at this time. You have today. Wrap yourself up in it.
{I have walked the walk of family members with terminal illnesses for 22 years. And while it has not been an easy walk for any of us, they are still on the planet.}
Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.
Hope without is lacking in fine perception.
Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.
Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.
— John Henry JowettBaby Grandson

A Collection of Songs about Gratitude and Being Thankful by FlourishAnyway Here on HubPages
You will find many songs that will express feelings of thankfulness in the link provided. Our FlourishAnyway has a varied collection of songs that speak to this topic. She also has many many others that are just the perfect songs that are in tune with our feelings at a particular time.
https://spinditty.com/playlists/Gratitude-Playlist-Songs-That-Say-Thank-You
I fall, I rise
I make mistakes.
I live, I learn.
I've been hurt but I'm alive.
I'm human,
I'm not perfect but I am thankful.
— unknownDaughter and baby grandson clowning around
Be thankful for all of the difficult people in your life and learn from them.
They have showed you y how you do not want to be.
Be thankful for mistakes.They may lead you to solutions you never would have discovered.
— author unknownBaby grandson, smiling through the pain

To witness miracles unfold in your experience, count your blessings and be thankful. Perceived small blessings accumulate to be most powerful.
— author unknownOur Spider Friends
Let us all take a moment and be thankful that spiders cannot fly.
(If you find one that can, please let me know!!!|
My very own Charlotte
Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Take the moment you have and make it perfect.
— unknownAs you start and end your day, say thank you for everything in your life.
And you will come to realize how very blessed you are.
— author unknownDon't say you hate your life cause it can be gone in an instant.
Be thankful for what you have cause you never what will happen next.
— author unknownKitty-that's-not-my Kitty

Have you made a list lately of the many things you have to be thankful for?
Full Lives
Our lives are filled with so many things for which we can be thankful each day.
Paying it forward is a way to give thanks
Sprinkle a little sunshine on others. It is can be accomplished by leaving extra money to pay for the person coming through the line behind you at the grocery store or at a tollgate. It can be accomplished through a kind word or a helping hand.
John Donne said ..."No man is an island...''
Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we do not take the time to count our blessings. Some evening in a quiet moment, sit down and write down all that you have to be thankful for --the small things. They will amount to a whole string of little miraculous happenings that have made and do make your life one filled with joy. One quote I read while researching this essentially said for us to quit complaining about the negatives in our lives, focus on the positives and we will see how blessed our lives really are.
source for quotes:
http://www.searchquotes.com/search/?searchf=dont+say+you+hate+your+life&sbut.x=0&sbut.y=0
copyright 2011-2013 pstraubie48 TM All Rights Reserved
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2012 Patricia Scott