thank·ful  (thngkfl) adj.

2. Expressive of gratitude: a thankful smile.

When we think of Thanksgiving let's be honest...we think of turkey. We may also let ourselves think of all that we have to be thankful for and show our appreciation to our family and friends by spending the day together enjoying great food and company. It's my dads favorite holiday and I can see why, such a warm day not focused on presents or costumes but loved ones and comfort. It makes me wonder what our lives would be like if we could carry that gratitude with us year round. The physiological effects of a positive attitude are proven, we raise our endorphins when we look on the bright side of life. Stress levels are lowered when we are relaxed so I assume the same would carry over to gratitude. If we could write 5 things we are grateful for every day it could help us stay focused on the positive things in life and in turn have a physical effect on us through relaxation. To be thankful is to be aware and appreciative of a benefit...what if we looked at thankfulness as the benefit itself? Let's move our New Years resolution up a couple months and try to see gratitude for what it is...good for you health!

Start a gratitude journal: This is something I read about and now that my kids are getting older I am going to try this Thanksgiving.
Every Thanksgiving, as a family, get out a Gratitude Journal and write 1,000 things for which you are grateful. Number from one to 1,000, leave it on the kitchen counter with a pen, and family members and friends are invited to write in it as often as they would like. It usually takes  between a week and ten days to get to 1,000. Pack it away with your fall decorations and you have something to look forward to reading and growing every year!