Phyllis Belden  
I'm glad there is an official day, but I'm a fan of living

every day grateful for my blessings.

So to start, here is what I am NOT grateful for...



I'm not grateful for the things I own, like my vehicles or

my house or my clothing.  I'm not grateful for my toys.



I do love them, but I'm not grateful for them.



Because in a flash, they could be taken away... just like

all the people who have lost all their possessions (and

friends and family) in tragedies like natural disasters or

by the acts of people filled with hatred and rage.



For your happiness to be attached to possessions sets you

up to be unhappy way too easily.  That is why, in the last

20 years when I have experienced great setbacks, I have

been able to quickly turn in the right direction and get

started again, just as determined and certain of success as

before.



So what I personally am grateful for is to have the

knowledge I now have and the ability and willingness to

learn even more.



I am also thankful for the opportunities to use my

knowledge and drive so that I can give to others what I

have learned.



In addition, I am thankful for my past and current

challenges, which have taught and will continue to teach me

and strengthen me so that I can overcome and triumph over

adversity in the future.



You see, it is THESE things, for which I AM grateful.

That make everything else in my life work.



If I lose anything in the first group, I can get it all

back and more because I have the second group.



And what I am most grateful for is the love I share with

those close to me and the love I share and receive from

people all over the world... many of who I have never met

and never will.



People like you.



You are the reason I am alive.



Happy Thanksgiving and MUCH love to you and yours,
Nov 24th 2007 10:43