Thanksgiving, celebrated this week here in the U.S., is a holiday during which we express gratitude for the harvest and the many blessings bestowed upon us during the previous year.
While most of us are quite fortunate, often we forget to give thanks for our good fortune and it is nice to have a holiday to draw our attention to it. Studies have shown that those who practice gratitude daily, through rituals such as journaling or prayer, are the happiest. So, what are you grateful for? Counting one’s blessings paves the way to greater abundance and happiness.
I am grateful to live in such a beautiful, rural town surrounded by forests. I walk out my door into a natural sanctuary filled with an abundance of plant and animal wildlife.
I have kind neighbors and I am grateful for the many services I enjoy, such as a plowed road in winter or a place to recycle and dispose of my trash. I know that I can get help in Town Hall with any question that may come up and am grateful that the person I am talking with is cheerful and patient with me. Every Wednesday, when I see the volunteer firefighters and EMTs meeting at the firehouse, my heart fills with gratitude that they care enough to practice preparedness on behalf of our town without pay. Our police watch out for our safety. When we need them, all of these folks are there and I thank them sincerely.
When I go about town, people smile and wave. What a gift this is! I have lived in suburban areas where people hardly give you a glance. There is a connection to others in town that is palpable. Every fall many people, who have moved away from town, return just to reconnect at our local fall festival. Old friends catch up, new babies are introduced, and the web of life spins on.
I encourage you to think about the many blessings you receive on a daily basis, whether it is food on your table, essentials like toothpaste and toilet paper, or the love that you share with family and friends.
We enjoy great abundance and do not let the naysayers drag you down! There is always something to be grateful for, even if it is only your next breath, the gift of living another day, seeing a beautiful blue sky or the smile of a loved one. Embrace with gratitude the abundant blessings of Thanksgiving!
Eliza Waters 
Amen to all those things.
Indeed! Thanks, Jim. May you both have a wonderful holiday.
We will be with family. Thank you very much. I wish the same for you.
Oh, it’s Thanksgiving this week, I didn’t know that. Happy Thanksgiving!! I love your photos and your gratitude things 😊😊. I am grateful that there are sweet people like you in the world!! That makes me feel less alone 💖😊
Aw, ditto here, Trini. Blogging Buddies unite! 🙂
Yes!!! 💖
Gorgeous! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much! Enjoy yours. 🙂
How lovely! The light in that first shot is truly gorgeous.
Thank you, Fi. Kind of you to say so. It reminds me a lot of your beautiful, golden light.
Happy Thanksgiving, Eliza. I am grateful for you.
Aw, many thanks, Mary. Blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving, Eliza.
Thank you so much, Sue. 🙂
🙂
With all that is going on in the world, I am grateful to be born British.
Happy thanksgiving.
Thank you, Brian, stay grateful!
A very timely reminder Eliza about being grateful, accompanied by lovely photos. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving:)
Thank you very much! 🙂
Such a lovely post and message Eliza. Wishing you and your family and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Thank you so much, Cathy. 🙂
Same to you Eliza!!
Thank you, Maria!
Love that bit – the active practise of daily gratitude 🙂 Eliza may you reap fullfilment over your Thanksgiving celebrations.
Many thanks, Liz. Much appreciated!
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. 🙂
Thank you, Judy! 🙂
Wonderful post.
Thank you, Sylvia. Have a safe and happy holiday.
What a beautiful post! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Thank you, Ana. Have a great holiday!
Beautiful post Eliza! I loved the pictures of what you must see everyday – especially that little chipmunk! May you have a blessed Thanksgiving and thank you for the reminders to practice gratitude every day. When you count up your blessings, there’s no room for worries! Best, Sarah
Thank you, Sarah. I love that – “When you count up your blessings, there’s no room for worries!” It’s wonderful. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving, Eliza, and thank you for all the beauty you bring to the world through your blog. 🙂
Ditto back at you, blogging sister! Yours is among my favorites. 🙂
Thank you so much for this lovely reminder. We do try to note the good things in our lives — much to be grateful for! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Thank you, Melanie. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family…(Suzanne)
Thank you, Suzanne!
Mary, this was a beautiful post! I, too, have heard that those who express gratitude live healthier, happier lives. Love the descriptions of your town, which sounds a lot like my town in central Maine. A very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Who is Mary? ;-D
Glad you liked the post, Laurie. Yes, I think our rural towns are probably quite similar.
Thank you and have a splendid Thanksgiving with your family. Did the stove get fixed?
Silly me! I know you’re Eliza 😉 I will be giving a stove update next week.
Thank you for the sweet wish and this wonderful contemplative post! Happy Thanksgiving to you too Eliza. 🙂
Thank you, Dor! Enjoy your holiday!
Your thoughtful essay is a good reminder–we all have plenty to be grateful for. I’m grateful for your blog and the weekly joy you provide
Aw, thanks so much for your kind words! “Life is good!”
Happy Thanksgiving to you. Lovely photos and sentiments.
Thank you! 🙂
What a great idea, writing your gratitude in a journal on a more regular basis. Fantastic photos 🙂
I’m grateful to you, Ann. 🙂
As am I to you Eliza. Have a happy thanksgivning 🙂
🙂
Happy Thanks Giving to you Eliza.
Thank you so much, Karen, it is greatly appreciated!
So well said Eliza! I am grateful for you and all that you share with us. Thank you for your inspiration and presence. 💛
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I feel the same way, Val. Thank you a bushel and a peck! 🙂
😍
Beautiful photos, Eliza, especially the top one. What a wonderful reminder to be thankful every day.
Thank you very much. That morning, the light was so magical with the sun streaming through the fog.
We have SO much to be thankful for!
This is lovely, best to you and your family for a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Mary. Enjoy your holiday.:-)
Happy Thanksgiving, Eliza! I am grateful for many things, among them some of the beautiful posts on your blog!
Aw, thanks so much, Lisa. I hope your holiday is a lovely one!
Blessings!
Thank you and the same to you!
Well done. What a lovely post. I especially love that you are grateful for the volunteers– you are so right. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Thank you! Have a great holiday, Julie.
thoughtful and endearing post of gratitude…I am grateful for YOU and your writing that enhances my life and urges me on to goodness! Happy Thanksgiving, Eliza!
Hope your holiday is filled with all good things – blessings!
thank you, Eliza! I send the warm wishes your way as well!
Beautiful and thoughtful post. You have it figured out as I often have to remind myself… the key to happiness is being grateful for what you have in your life.
Thank you, Denise. With practice, it gets quite easy and automatic. And the cool thing is, the more you do it, the more good things come your way. Pretty awesome! 😉
I love this holiday, because it is truly focused on gratitude for most people. I am doing my best to be grateful and appreciative every day. I do think it makes me a happier person, which in turn makes me a better person to be around. Have a great holiday Eliza!
Thank you , many blessings! 🙂
What a blessing!! Thank you for sharing! I’m thankful for all the beauty you share often! Your photos are beautiful and I love how people smile and wave frequently where you live. It’s mostly not like that here in the city where I live but I try to bring more love to the world by smiling at people even if I don’t know them. Like I have shared on the blog, sometimes I’m too shy and don’t do that but often I do find the courage. I love the beautiful images I got in my head reading your post of friendly people, Thanksgiving, the festival, and gratitude! ❤ 😀
City living is quite a bit more stimulating than out here in the country, but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Thanks for your wonderful response, Kim!
Reblogged this on A Dose of Inspiration and commented:
Beautiful, beautiful post!! ❤ 😀
Thank you! ❤
Happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving Eliza, and thanks for such a lovely post. I had a crazy week and I’m very thankful that it mostly went well. Among the many other things I’m grateful for, having something to look forward to is a gift.
Thank you, Cath, it was lovely, we tend to stretch it through the whole weekend. 🙂 We truly have so much to be thankful for!
I spent Thanksgiving evening in a Motel 6 Eliza but thoroughly enjoyed my meal of vegetable sushi, spring rolls and dumplings from Wegman’s and dessert that I’d made and my sister so generously doled out from Pudgy Girl bakery in Rochester. It was divine to be on the road and still so stuffed and satisfied! Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday and I find it ironic that I spend it on the road and refuse to eat turkey! It’s still my favorite!
I’ve been thinking about you traveling south. Have you settled in? Glad you had a good Thanksgiving on the road. Easy to be thankful for a winter away from snow and cold! 🙂