Thanks Giving Everyday

I read a story once wherein two friends were talking and one did nothing but complain about his wife. As far as the other gentleman could tell, we'll call him Jim, she was a great lady and his friend was blessed to have her. Still, the husband complained. Jim shared something he had experienced in his own marriage that changed everything. Jim decided to keep a Thanksgiving Journal for his wife. For an entire year, he wrote down at a minimum one thing about her that he appreciated.

How she cared for their family.

The positive way she interacted with people.

The way she kept the house clean.

The fantastic meals she prepared for them.

The way she wore her hair on a given day.

He looked for things that touched him, spoke to him. Characteristics, qualities. He secretly wrote them all down for the whole year. At the end of the year, he had completely filled the journal.

He wrapped it with a bow and gave it to her the next Thanksgiving. Tears welled in her eyes and she was overwhelmed with emotion. In fact, she said it was the greatest gift she had ever received.

Jim said the person most affected by the journal was..himself.

The journaling caused him to pay close attention to all his wife's positive qualities. He was making a conscious effort to look for all the things she was doing right. Jim said through the experience he fell in love with her all over again.

By choosing to take five or ten minutes a day to write down all the reasons he was grateful for her, it changed everything about their marriage. He responded differently to her and, in turn, caused her to respond differently to him, both positively.

Jim shared all this with his friend and he decided and committed to make a journal about his own wife. In only a few short months his entire marriage turned around. Focusing on her good qualities changed his view of her which changed how he acted toward her and talked about her. With that, she too changed the way she responded to him...and around we go.

What we focus on has a profound effect on us...whether the positive or the negative.

Choose the positive...and be thankful.

Happy Goal-Reaching.