Thankful thoughts this holiday season
I read somewhere recently that if you have food, thank a farmer. If you have food on your table, thank a trucker. If you have food on your table and are eating in peace, thank a soldier.
Each holiday season I think about the people serving society: those who are working or on duty like the military, police, firefighters, paramedics and hospital workers. I think about the health care workers, truck drivers, utility employees, 24/7 convenience stores owners, retail workers and media entertainers. I do this just to give honorable mention and thanks. Mostly, I thank God for who he is and what he is all about. I encourage you to do the same, as you spend time with whoever you celebrate with.
I want to dedicate this week’s column to various quotes and thoughts I’ve found on thankfulness.
I don’t particularly endorse any one of these folks, but their sentiments are agreeable. So please read the following selection of quotes and consider thoughtfully.
“Be thankful for everything that happens in your life; it’s all an experience.” — Roy T. Bennett
“We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning.” — Albert Barnes
“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” — Henry Ward Beecher
“When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity.” — Elie Wiesel
“I’ve started to look at life differently. When you’re thanking God for every little you — every meal, every time you wake up, every time you take a sip of water — you can’t help but be more thankful for life itself, for the unlikely and miraculous fact that you exist at all.” — A.J. Jacobs
“Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.” — William Bennett
“Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.” — Samuel Butler
“Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.” — Will Rogers
“Of all the characteristics needed for both a happy and morally decent life, none surpasses gratitude. Grateful people are happier, and grateful people are more morally decent.” — Dennis Prager
“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” — Alphonse Karr
“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.” — Oprah Winfrey
“Let me encourage you to get up every day and focus on what you do have in life. Be thankful for the blessings of the little things, even when you don’t get what you expect.” — Victoria Osteen
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” — Willie Nelson
“Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books — especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.” — John Wooden
“I’m just thankful for everything, all the blessings in my life, trying to stay that way. I think that’s the best way to start your day and finish your day. It keeps everything in perspective.” — Tim Tebow
“I may not be where I want to be but I’m thankful for not being where I used to be.” — Habeeb Akande
“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Phil 4:6-7 NIV