Let’s Make Every Day Thanksgiving!

/12 Comments/in , /by Mary Hunt

I love Thanksgiving so much it vies for first place in my favorite holiday lineup. I love and adore a classic Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings. I love the fall weather, which always accompanies the day. I love that Thanksgiving ushers in the winter holidays, offering me a front-row seat for the best time of the year. I love all of those things. In fact, I kinda’ wish that every day were Thanksgiving!

 

This has been another challenging year. The political climate and global unrest have turned our world upside down. My heart breaks for those of you who have lost a loved one, a friend, a colleague to the coronavirus. I know that many of you are struggling with financial stress due to inflation, a layoff or reduced hours, or lost clients.

Even in the face of such heartache, challenge, and uncertainty, I am more convinced than ever that giving thanks and counting our blessings is good for us. It reminds us of the positive things in life. Gratitude turns bad things into good things, takes our eyes off ourselves, and reminds us to thank others.

Just imagine what might happen if our annual single-day tradition of giving thanks were to become a daily routine. Health professionals suggest we would be rewarded with better health, as medical science reveals more about the strong connection between gratitude and good health.

And just as strong is the fact that stress can make us sick. It’s linked to heart disease and cancer. Shockingly, stress is responsible for up to 90% of all doctor visits. Just think about the financial costs associated with stress-related maladies. The antidote for stress is gratitude, which calms our minds and lowers our blood pressure. Then, we can see our circumstances in a fresh, new light.

Even in the face of tremendous loss or tragedy, it’s possible to feel gratitude. Adversity can boost feelings of gratitude, a phenomenon many of us have experienced the tremendous loss of this year, in light of what we still possess.

You don’t have to wait for a tragedy to grow your feelings of gratitude. You can start today with something as simple as a gratitude journal. Research shows that people who keep gratitude journals every week feel better about their lives as a whole, exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and maintain greater optimism about the future.

Perhaps you’re wondering what to be grateful for.

Be thankful that you don’t have everything you desire. If you did, you would have nothing to look forward to.

Be thankful for the things you don’t want that you didn’t get that might well have interrupted your life in ways it’s difficult to comprehend

Be thankful for the difficult people you have to work with. They are improving your patience and understanding.

Be thankful when you don’t know something because it allows you to learn. Be thankful for difficult times because we grow in times of hardship.

Be thankful when you’re exhausted at the end of a day because you know you’ve accomplished something.

What do I give thanks for privately in my gratitude sessions? It varies every day. I thank my readers for their encouragement in reading this blog. I thank my family and friends for all they do for me.

Every day I thank God for this life he’s given me. I thank people I know for the things they’re doing out of personal sacrifice to improve the world.

Choose to be grateful today—and every day—for all that you have. Gratitude will fill your heart with contentment. And best of all? Gratitude is 100% free, in any amount you desire.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

More from Everyday Cheapskate

Mary Hunt

About Mary Hunt, Debt Expert, Blogger, Advice Columnist

frog in a pot of water

My Life as a Frog

Football party food, super bowl day, nachos salsa guacamole

Yummy Snacks and Appetizers—Quick & Easy!

On the 2022 calendar, the date 14 February is marked in red pencil - Valentine's Day. Flat lay

Yummy Sweets to Make for Valentine’s Day

Valentines day greeting card with rose flowers and gift box on white wooden background

Best Ideas and Gifts (Him, Her, Kids!) to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

meat loaf with vegetables close-up on a cutting board. horizontal

How to Stretch Ground Beef to Cut the High Cost

Coins and plants are grown on a pile of coins for finance and banking. The idea of saving money and increasing finances.

On Saving Money and Spreading Manure

Happy family celebrating New Years Eve at home with kids, sitting by the Christmas tree, holding sparklers and illuminative numbers 2023 representing the upcoming New Year

11 Easy, Delicious 3-Ingredient Party Dips for Your New Year’s Celebration

Colleagues at the office exchanged gifts for Christmas. A group of employees. The concept of surprises, greetings and secret Santa.

Gift Ideas for Young Professionals, College Students



Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines



Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Caught yourself reading all the way 'til the end? Why not share with a friend.

12 replies
  1. Myra says:

    I just wrote you a long paragraph thanking you, and it just went away. That happens to me all the time. Do you have any idea what causes that? I don’t know how to find it. I did try to undo it and make it come back, but it didn’t work. I forwarded one of these newsletters to many friends and family not long ago. Thank you so much for all you do for us. Yesterday was my 50th Golden anniversary. I know you live in Colorado. We used to live in New Mexico and went to Durango, Colorado a lot. Bye and thank you.

    Reply
  2. Pat Moore says:

    Everything Jan says above and more. My spouse of 40 years passed three weeks ago and your messages of encouragement are so welcome at this 2022 Thanksgiving time. You are an angel to everyone who reads you every day. Thank you so much.

    Reply
  3. Gina Stevens says:

    Count me in as another fan who feels blessed to have Mary Hunt in my life! As I type, I’m awaiting the “No Knead Dinner Rolls” to bake to take to my son’s house, along with your Apple Pie. The rolls is a new recipe for me, but I have blind faith in your recommendations. I’ve been with you for at least 27 years and gleaned a great deal of wisdom from “our daily visits.” You know, for all the negative and horrific losses that came with COVID, it gave us a “time out” for fresh ideas. It was a great reset. Thanks for all you help, Mary. Hugs!

    Reply
  4. egam hobnob @gmail.com. says:

    in response to the pillow that gained a few lbs. ask it if it has researched intermitent fasting. while I can not spell all the time, the fasting does work for many of us. Book OBEISITY CODE, by Dr. Fung, really got me realizing how to do it. I recommend almost everyone check it out. Nice not to think of calories any more. Will converse if you are interested. Enjoy your GOOD job. Elna

    Reply
  5. Janee says:

    Mary, I have followed and read everything you’ve written for many years. When we had four teenagers living with us and working as teachers, you saved me from incurring more debt to justify having a nice Christmas for everyone. I learned the concept of having two bank accounts to ensure periodic expenses were funded; to keep an emergency account, and to shop wisely. And today my stepdaughters refer to our grocery shopping with coupons and rebates to help out. Thank you for changing lives.

    Reply
  6. Linda says:

    Thank you for your positive attitude about life and how we need to truly be observant of our blessings. I found your blog through my sister and am so thankful as I have to say, it is the ONE email I get that I read all the way through, and I have tried many of the items you have recommended and have not been sorry. Thank YOU for your dedication and bringing hope into each person you reach daily through your emails. Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.

    Reply
  7. Bonnie says:

    Beautiful words. I’m grateful for the example of 2 wonderful parents who showed me by their example how to be compassionate and listen instead of just giving advice.

    Reply
  8. Barbara J Pire says:

    And Mary I too am greateful for you!! I am so glad I found you in 1998!! I look forward to your e-mails everyday with all of your knowledge on so many things! I have learned a heck of a lot from you. You are the best EVER!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. xxoo

    Reply
  9. Jan Schaller says:

    I’m thankful for you and EC! I’ve learned so much – from finances to cleaning to great recipes!! I used your Crockpot Stuffing and Make-Ahead Gravy recipes today. I love having a very smart friend who emails me great tips EVERY DAY! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Oh, thank you so much Jan! It means the world to me to know that what I do is touching the lives and heart of followers and fans ❣️

      Reply
  10. Sherill says:

    I am grateful for you too! You are not the first thing I think about every morning, but maybe the third!
    As for finding gratitude even in the midst of trauma, I will never forget what a friend of mine did. On the day her husband died of cancer, she wrote in her gratitude journal that she was grateful for the support of friends.
    Happy Thanksgiving, Mary!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *