Thanksgiving + Time to Reflect + String Around My Finger

Good Morning from Prince Edward Island, 

Thank you for inviting me to your time and space this morning. 

Kettle on? Cuppa time. 

I usually finish my Saturday morning by sharing the music that I was listening to while writing. This morning is different. 

Upon waking, I swing my feet to the floor, give thanks for the new day, and seek how I might be guided to express my gratitude and love today. I then reach for my headphones and music player. (nice words for my phone) Opening iTunes, a pianist Rosey Chan pops up; unaware of this musician, I started listening. Oh my.  

Her musical interpretation of Autumn wafted into the corridors of my receptive mind, and it was so moving. I was intrigued to find more by her and landed on her YouTube channel and just let them autoplay. Thank you, Rosey Chan. 

It is the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. A particular date on the calendar time set aside to express our 'thankfulness' for all that we have. 

To say the year 2020 has been all things sweet would be telling a fib. At times it has been angst-ridden and downright stressful. But I will add it has been a time to grow personally and spiritually. 

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. When life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”-Shauna Niequist.

It seemed whenever I sit to truly reflect on all that was right and not on all that was wrong; life would feel better. 

Much is written about thankfulness, appreciation, and gratitude. 

Before sitting and writing out things I am grateful for, I need to take the time to for perspective—a good dose of self-reflection. 

We all have morals and values that guide our priorities and actions. But, have you ever stopped to think about why you believe in those morals and values? And if your actions and priorities actually align with your life goals? Most of us don’t. That’s because self-reflection is hard. 

When done effectively, self-reflection is a powerful tool for internal growth and improvement. And those who practice it lead more fulfilled and happier lives. And that’s according to several psychology studies. ~ XQ Blog

This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Psychology Today writes, “Gratitude is the expression of appreciation for what one has. It is a recognition of value independent of monetary worth. Spontaneously generated from within, it is an affirmation of goodness and warmth. This social emotion strengthens relationships, and its roots run deep in evolutionary history—emanating from the survival value of helping others and being helped in return. Studies show that specific areas of the brain are involved in experiencing and expressing gratitude. Brain scans of people assigned a task that stimulates expression of gratitude show lasting changes in the prefrontal cortex that heighten sensitivity to future experiences of gratitude.

This article offers tips on how to foster gratitude and thankfulness.

• Keep a journal of or in some way note big and little joys of daily life.
• Write down "three good things"—identify three things that have gone well for you and identify the cause.
• Write thank-you notes to others.
• Think about people who have inspired you and what about them was most significant.
• Engage in "mental subtraction." Imagine what your life would be like if some positive event had not occurred.

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for all those who have worked hard to keep our Island a relatively safe zone in these COVID times. I am thankful for my faith. I am grateful for my wife and children and our extended family.  I appreciate Millie, Rocky and Bobby, our family fur babies. 

Love is the greatest gift when given. It is the highest honour when received. ~ Fawn Weaver

I am grateful for our Federal system of health care and the coordination between the provinces to minimize the community spread of the COVID virus. I am thankful for our and all staff who worked hard to reduce the dangers of community spread. I am grateful for our customers who continue to support what we do. 

I am grateful for Simonne Cormier, a sweet and wonderful woman I have had an acquaintance for over 30 years. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and she is developing an All-natural breast prosthesis. Read her CBC story here. Bless her heart. If you are a Facebook user, show here some love and 'like' her Au Naturel Solutions Facebook Page. 

I am so thankful for YOU! 

LET’S DANCE. 

Have a wonderful Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend! 

What are you 'thankful for?' Hit REPLY or leave a comment. 

With love from Prince Edward Island

Bruce & Millie

ps.

"What's that piece of cord tied around your finger for?"

"My wife put it there to remind me to take a letter to the Post Office."

"And did you mail it?"

"No, she forgot to give me the letter."