All-inclusive gratitude
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every year, the season of Thanksgiving reminds us to count our blessings while we take inventory of our good fortune. But as Ralph Waldo Emerson suggested in today’s quote, “all things” have made us who we are today. These include health crises, personal losses, financial problems, career challenges, and other difficulties.
The pilgrims who left England to start new lives in America faced a perilous journey across the Atlantic. Arriving in Massachusetts after suffering loss and illness, they gave thanks for the freedom to start over in an unfamiliar and hostile environment.
Obstacles and challenges can be catalysts for growth and self-improvement, moving us toward positive change. Or they can become excuses to give up or indulge in self-pity. When you reflect on your life, what has made you stronger and more resilient today? ~CL
Cindy La Ferle
Throughout my career, I've worked as a book production editor, travel magazine editor, features writer, and weekly newspaper columnist. My award-winning lifestyles features and essays have appeared in many national magazines and anthologies, including Newsweek, Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest, Victoria, Better Homes & Gardens, Bella Grace, and more. My weekly Sunday "Life Lines" column ran for 14 years in The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI) and won a First Place (Local Columns) award from the Michigan Press Association. My essay collection, Writing Home, includes 93 previously published columns and essays focusing on parenthood and family life.
