On this Thanksgiving, I want to quote part of my 2023 New Year’s blog post “Happy 2023: A Key to Unlock Prosperity”:
The Choice
If I think of all of ways I can unlock my day, I can label each way as a key.
For example, I could choose the Angry key. Or, I could choose the Rejection key. I might chose the Unloved key. I could choose the Lonely key. How about the Why Me key? Or, my favorite key, the Misunderstood key.
On and on, I could choose those Downer keys.
Or, I could choose a Wonder key, one that unlocks wonder, even the wonder of all unexpected events.
My One 2023 Resolution
My only 2023 resolution is this:
To envision an image of a key that unlocks wonder,
holding that vision in my mind,
to try to see every event through this visionary key.
On that post, my one resolution was choosing the Acceptance Key.
Today, the day before Thanksgiving Day 2023, I want to add to the list of Wonder Keys the Gratitude Key or the Giving Thanks Key.
Envisioning the Giving Thanks Key
I have found that thinking of something to be thankful for, to be grateful for—even and especially those things I could take for granted, like hot water for a lovely bath each evening before bed—lifts my spirits, even in tough times.
I think of what I am thankful for, then I speak the words out loud.
Thank you for my tasty hot coffee with amazing, yummy gluten-free scone made by my friend Alicia.
Often, I just say “Thank you” to the ‘you’ out there somewhere, whom, I believe, cares for me. So, as I am soaking in my hot bath, I say, “Thank you.”
Every morning, as I take that first satisfying sip of coffee, I say, “Thank you.”
Thank you for my dear buddy Sam.
Other times, I am specific in what I am thankful for, so I say: “Thank you for my hot water. Thank you for my cozy bed. Thank you for my yummy hot coffee. Thank you that I have food. Thank you for my family, human friends and animal friends.”
I add variations, such as speaking directly to that which I am thankful for, such as: “Thank you, coffee, for tasting so good.” Or, “Thank you, bed, for my good night’s sleep.”
Or, sometimes, I say, “I am thankful for my coffee. I am thankful for my life.”
This practice has made me feel abundant. Simply put, it feels good.
I could go on like that all day, being thankful for what I have — Huh. Right? Sounds like Thanksgiving.
Being thankful for what I have, for me, is the key to giving thanks on Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Thanks Giving!
P.S. I love coffee.
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From Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass:
“I am satisfied . . . . I see, dance, laugh, sing;
As God comes a loving bedfellow and sleeps at my side all night and close on the peep of day,
And leaves for me baskets covered with white towels bulging the house with their plenty . . .
(Lines 51 - 53, 1855 first edition.
Pictured here is the Barnes & Noble, Inc. edition.)
Note: All photos by Mary Dezember.
Lead image is one I customized using from a Canva template.
Copyright © 2023 Mary Dezember
Dezember LLC
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