Giving Thanks for People in Your Life #ThankList
This post on Giving Thanks for People in Your Life is part of a campaign Clever Girls. The content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it is the perfect time to consider giving thanks for people in my life.
While I try to express my gratitude and appreciation for many of them throughout the year, there are times when I find myself falling short.
I don’t appreciate rude people and I do not like feeling like I’ve become one, either.
And if you spend any time on social media, then you know that there is a lot of ‘negative energy’ out there.
This month, I am working on expressing that gratitude for others.
This is especially true for those who have had a great influence on my life and are often taken for granted.
Did you know that giving thanks for people in your life triggers positive health benefits?
Much like forgiving another, the person who benefits the most is the giver.
And when it comes to those people closest to me, the act of gratitude helps me to see all their positive attributes rather than the few imperfections which have a way of standing out.
Giving Thanks for People in Your Life: MY #ThankList
My family members are at the top of my #ThankList. This includes my parents as well as my husband and boys.
Thankful for My Parents
My parents are ones that I often forget to thank on a regular basis. They have done so much for me over the years and continue to be a source of strength and support in my life.
Dad taught me about sticking to your principles, regardless of what other people are saying, as well as how to find bargains.
The man is an anomaly as he ENJOYS shopping and even bought me a dress when I was in college as he thought it would suit me. Not only was it bargain-priced, but it looked great on me!
My mom showed me how to love others and be a positive role model for all.
She provided my Italian heritage and with it both a love of food and family.
That love of family was reinforced by my dad who made a promise to my maternal grandparents that he’d get their daughter and grandchildren out to visit them every year barring some unforeseen circumstance.
And, he kept that promise through long road trips to Rhode Island from the deep South or by plane when we lived in the Seattle area for a few years.
Living thousands of miles away in Alaska with a life full of homeschooling, homemaking and blogging can sometimes lead to forgetfulness on my part, too.
We keep in touch via phone calls and Facebook, but the more personal touches of a handwritten card are often overlooked.
Thankful for My Husband
My husband has been a constant force in my life for over 20 years now.
If there is someone it is really easy to take for granted, it is him.
He’s gone down a career path that was not his first pick of occupations but provided a steady source of income to provide for our family.
Some of the work environments he’s had to suffer through on the job are places I would never want to visit (e.g. crawling under homes and other dirty, nasty places.)
When we lived in Ohio, his job had him working way more than the 40 hours he was paid to work and he always performed well on the job to appease clients so they would stay with the company.
Since attending a marriage retreat this past month, we have been making time each day to share from our heart and that includes highlighting a particular attribute or ‘fine quality’ that we appreciate.
Those simple acts and short investment of time (10 minutes away from the boys) are paying dividends already as our relationship grows and strengthens.
Thankful for My Boys
Most of the time, I have my boys with me throughout the day. This near-constant exposure can lead to a serious lack of appreciation for the good as the ‘bad’ behaviors tend to capture my attention more.
However, I am blessed to have teens that can now clear the driveway and occasionally cook a meal.
And, my youngest son regularly provides me with hugs and a verbal reminder of how much he loves me, even saying “You’re the best mom in the whole world. Ever!”
Through Gratitude Slips, I am hoping to get my boys on board with giving thanks for people in their life, too.
Giving Thanks for People in Your Life: Create Your Own #ThankList
Right now, American Greetings is partnering with United Way Worldwide as part of the ThankList campaign to give back during the season of gratitude. Every time someone shares #ThankList on social platforms (a Tweet, Instagram or Facebook post that names people for whom they’re thankful), American Greetings will donate $1 to United Way Worldwide. Funds donated during the campaign will be allocated towards hunger prevention.
Isn’t that an easy way to not only THANK someone important in your life, but also help at the same time?
I hope you’ll join me and others in the process of a small act with the potential to kick off a cultural movement. Create a #ThankList and share it today!
Who is a special person in your life?
What are some ways you give thanks for them being a part of our life?
This is so great. Every year for the last four, I’ve taken the time to sit down and make a very complete list of all the people and things that I am thankful for. It’s such a good exercise to remember all the people that play a role in our lives and all the great gifts we have. – Katy
This is awesome. I need to sit down and see how I can let the people who I love and who hold me down know that I love them and am thankful for them, too. Thank you for this great reminder of giving thanks.
You know…. We all write thank you notes after a party but never just because. I think it’s import to remember we need to be more thankful every. Why are we thankful, who are we thankful for… It’s so important to remember and I think I want to send out some cards now!!!
I try to thank my hubby and kids frequently throughout the day. When the kids are being “good” I really make an effort to thank them for following directions or picking up their toys. That helps me stay in a positive mood too. I’ll make a note to call my Mom tomorrow and tell her how much I appreciate her too!
I really need to start my own list! I have to remember to thank my mother, my husband even friends more often. I know i take them for granted sometimes and forget how much a simple thank you means. I know it means so much when someone says thank you to me.
After reading this, I was trying to think of who I overlook when I am thanking people. I think I need to show a little more gratitude for the things that my sweetie does for me. He probably doesn’t hear it as often as he should.
This post just reminds me to also create my own list and start reflecting. We’re too busy living life day in and day out that we forget to give thanks to people who matter the most. I want to give them probably a small token of appreciate for all they’ve done. My parents for sure are the top two.
I love this campaign. I know it’s important to be thankful year round but I love how much the holidays really drive being thankful home. Looks like you have an amazing family to be thankful for.
this is so true. As I was trying to fall asleep last night I was going over all the friends in my life who I have not spoken with of late. Since email and texting is so prevalent these days, I think keeping in contact with my friends has gone by the side a bit. I used to be an avid card and letter writer and that has disappeared. Thanks for the reminder.
You have a blessed family and I thank God for your gratitude and happiness. Nice post!