What are you thankful for?

As a former elite athlete, I had to deal with my share of injuries. Anyone who's been injured, whether they are an athlete or not, knows that feeling of helplessness when a body part doesn't work the way it is supposed to. It's probably human nature, but when we're not injured, we can't imagine not having use of our parts, and when we are injured, it's hard to remember what is was like when everything worked properly.

I remember when I had been injured in the past, whether it was walking around on crutches, or with a shoulder in a sling, I swore to myself that I'd appreciate it more when my parts were working again. Then when the shoulder had healed, or the ankle or knee was operational again, I remember experiencing such joy at simple things, like being able to throw a ball, or spike a volleyball or being able to jump and run.

I guess here's the point. The fundamental assumption above is that when you hurt something it will eventually heal. The reality is that this isn't always the case.

Here's Your Motivational Challenge: This week is the Thanksgiving celebration. Here's my suggestion/challenge to you. When you sit down to the feast, look beyond the food for a moment and appreciate the people sitting around your table. Our tradition at the Thanksgiving Day meal, is to have everyone take turns saying what they are thankful for. The first time was a little stilted, but we've been doing this every year for years now, and everyone has come to prepare for it and to expect it.

Maybe this tradition helps us appreciate, even just a little bit, something or someone that we have in front of us. Maybe the thing you are thankful for is a "someone" or maybe it is "something" that someone does or is doing for you, maybe it's an "unappreciated contribution," someone is making, or maybe it's a "circumstance" or current event that you are appreciating, or maybe ... well ... that's for you to determine.

We all get so caught up in our hectic paces of life, that this Thanksgiving ... slow it all down, look around your table, and appreciate what you truly have ... and hopefully, you can appreciate and linger on a positive that you are recognizing you have, while you still have it, and not have to wait till you've experienced a loss to really appreciate it.

Joy does not have to be reactive. Through recognition and appreciation, it can be proactive. You don't have to wait for joy to find you, create your own joy this Thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!
Vilis