THANKING IS AN ACTION...

Barbara Ward-Finneran
Why just be thankful for one day... 
Oh, the power of two little words --- "Thank you". Utter those two words and they can make all the difference in the world.  In some instances, forget to say them and you might never be forgiven.  Reflect on the blessings in your life and it can change your perspective in mere moments. Being thankful should be automatic.  Most of us were taught to say "thank you" from the time we were toddlers, yet often our interactions as adults tend to be thankless. Yes, we share polite "thank yous" all the time.  But that's not enough.  So often, we take for granted our relationships, our blessings and our freedoms.  Caught up in what we don't have, or feel that we need, or just the chaos of life, rather then focusing on what is purely the essence of having a thankful heart - being grateful for all that you "do" have in your life.  


In just days we will be celebrating Thanksgiving.  An abundance of family, friends and food meld happily with the thankfulness that we have for love, life and the Lord.  Being thankful has power.  An attitude of gratitude breeds the positive and lends strength and kindness to any relationship. On Thanksgiving everyone is thankful. On this day we remember, reflect and relish in all our blessings. But, do you share it?  Not just with a prayer around the table holding hands at dinner.  Have you taken action? Do you give from your own abundance? Allotted something for those less fortunate then you. Have you told someone why you are thankful for them?  Expressed gratitude to someone and specifically reminded them of why they are significant in your life. It's so easy to think that someone knows how you truly feel, or overlook the value in actually expressing your feelings.  So easy to assume that they will always be around to tell.  But the truth is, you can run out of time.  


Thanksgiving is a compound word; "thanks" and "giving".  This year, consider making thanking an action.  Make giving an action too. Do something to help others whether it be with kindness or generosity.  Take the time to fashion the kind words and thoughts in your heart and mind, then say it and or write it, but most importantly share it! Do whatever is in your power to make thanking an action that is purposefully done in little and big ways not just this this Thursday, but forever forward in the days ahead.  Do it.  Do it again & again! Then being thankful, generous and appreciative will become a natural and positive part of your daily interactions.  It will make for so much more to be thankful for --- your heart will be filled and the love and gratitude will be contagious and endlessly grow.  And better yet - you will reap what you sow - Now, that's something to be thankful for...!!!

"Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love." - Psalm 107:8

LEARNING TO BE USEFUL AGAIN

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

I started my first job at the age of 14. I worked the “Fishing Boat”shift at the local Dunkin Donuts. At 5 am, the ships filled with tired, hungry men who had been out on the water all night, pulled in and they all came to have coffee and a donut (more like several donuts!). We ran non stop from 4am, stacking shelves, filling sugar jars and making coffee, through the 2 or 3 hours of hungry fishermen drinking gallons of coffee and consuming dozens of donuts. By the time they were done, the shop reeked of fish and sweat, my ankles were swollen like balloons, and my once white stockings were splattered with hot coffee stains. Then the regular working crowd started. By the time I got off at 11am, I could barely walk the half mile home. This was to be the pattern of my life, working hard, long hours, going to school, and loving the feeling of being useful. After being a “Donut Girl”, I worked in the library, in a luncheonette, at a five and dime, and as a guitar teacher. Finally, in my senior year of college I taught music in an elementary school. I was immediately hired upon graduation and have been teaching ever since, even during the 6 years I was an Assistant Principal. I couldn’t imagine my life doing anything else but the job I loved so much.