Try as I may, I can not wrap my head around the fact that this is the week of Thanksgiving. Somehow, the holidays have really snuck up on me this year. Can you relate? If you are hosting a dinner, you are likely running around gathering the necessary items, grocery shopping and cleaning your house. It’s so much work, isn’t it? Enough to make you wonder why you do it every year.
But it is tradition. And it is family and friends. And it can be fun too!
But holidays can also be trying, difficult, stressful, and depressing as well. So as we go into the week, let’s get ourselves into a good headspace and heartspace to create a Thanksgiving holiday to enjoy. One that creates memories you want to hold on to.
Doesn’t that sound nice?
It all begins with forgiveness and gratitude.
If you are holding onto a grudge against your parents, sibling, child, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or friend, it’s time to let it go. Holding onto a grudge does not solve the problem. In fact, it doesn’t even get the person back for whatever they did to hurt you in the first place. Resentment is like poison to your body. And the longer you insist on holding onto it, the more it hurts you….through sickness, disease, and emotional suffering.
Remember, whatever we send out mentally or verbally will come back to us in like form. So you forgive them for YOU. Not to excuse them for what they did or said. You forgive them so you can let it go, get it out of your mind and body, so you can move forward and heal.
Forgiveness is not an option. This is a must for your overall well-being. And for your future. So don’t brush it off. Dig deep. If there was ever a time for it, it is right now.
Remember, you do not need to know how to forgive, you just have to be willing to forgive. Here are a few powerful affirmations that Louis Hay recommends to begin the process of forgiveness:
“I forgive you for not being the way I wanted you to be. I forgive you and I set you free.”
“The person I need to forgive is _________ and I forgive you for ______.”
Then say, “I forgive myself for _______.”
Say these over and over. And consider saying them daily until you can feel the resentment and anger lift.
Below is another favorite of mine from Louise:
In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole, and complete.
Change is the natural law of my life. I welcome change.
I am willing to change. I choose to change my thinking.
I choose to change the words I use.
I move from the old to the new with ease and with joy.
It is easier for me to forgive than I thought.
Forgiving makes me feel free and light.
It is with joy that I learn to love myself more and more.
The more resentment I release, the more love I have to express.
Changing my thought makes me feel good.
I am learning to choose to make today a pleasure to experience.
All is well in my world.
Next up is Gratitude.
Gratitude is thrown around a lot at this time of year. So much so that you may be numb to it. But please hear me on this: Gratitude is the secret sauce to create happiness and joy in your life, no matter where you are right now. Being grateful for what you have in your life is the magnet to draw more of the things you love, to you.
Feeling grateful for what you already have is the beginning of abundance. Abundant relationships, abundant love, abundant joy, abundant success. And gratitude will change your thinking patterns. In fact, it is so powerful, it can change your life completely. When you decide to flip your complaints into gratitude for what is, you change the game.
Here’s one from Oprah: “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
So as you get ready for Thanksgiving this year, remember Forgiveness and Gratitude. Choose to create a holiday that is memorable and meaningful. One that you will hold close to your heart for the rest of your days.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Positively,
Deanne
