THANKFUL and GRATEFUL

After the lovely day I had yesterday, I can honestly say that I am both thankful and grateful. The meal that was prepared was beautifully prepared and the love around the table was warm and comforting, completely unlike the so-called family shows we see on television.

One of my favorite family quotes is this one, "The family is one of nature's masterpieces." Which is attributed to George Santayana and I agree with this quotation wholeheartedly.

How sad that our children are being taught that all families are filled with angst and to be "trapped" in the house with them for a day is tantamount to torture. Even the film reviews that I read listing the picks and pans of holiday movies offer their choices up as excellent opportunities to escape from family over Thanksgiving weekend.

Parents have their jobs cut out for them in battling the messages sent to their kids that are brainwashing them into believing that the people who love them most are at best ridiculous and laughable and at worst, downright intolerable. Why do we as consumers allow paid advertising and television programming to diminish the importance of family?

All we can do is to reinforce the belief that family is something to be both grateful and thankful for and that if someone tries to tell them otherwise then THEY are laughable and pathetic NOT our family members.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find my thoughts and quotes on being both thankful and grateful.

QUOTES ABOUT CHANGE

Quotes about change are important and would you like to know my opinion on why this is so? If you are still logged in and reading beyond the question mark punctuating the opening line to this paragraph I must assume that you are indeed slightly curious. Perhaps you are even interested to the point of intrigue as to what my thoughts might be on the underlying importance of powerful quotes about social changes.

I won’t keep you hanging and in suspense any longer; the reason that quotes about change are so uplifting and significant is because they give us hope for the future. Was that a huge letdown or did you already guess what I was going to say? If so, you already have felt the lift in your mood when an important political leader or spiritual leader preached on the need for change in our less than perfect behavior and the ways of the world.

So, when will we see this dramatic turnaround that is going to benefit all of mankind? The answer to that question is right in front of our faces. It does not start with President Obama’s inspirational quotes about change and it didn’t start with your minister’s sermon last Sunday morning. Change begins within the heart of each individual. If you find the President’s speeches about change or your preacher’s more Biblical approach to the subject motivational the world as a whole will reap the rewards. Each and every individual who experiences an awakening of the spirit and makes the decision to approach his fellow man in a more positive and loving way brings us nearer to a better existence as a whole.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES TO GET YOU THROUGH FAMILY GATHERINGS

Many of us dread the less than inspirational family gatherings during the Christmas holidays. Sadly, Christmas is portrayed in the movies as an opportunity for dysfunctional families to air their dirty laundry and work out their frustrations.

Perhaps a cousin, aunt or uncle tossed about a few demeaning words or insulted you last Christmas. Those lingering memories of hurt feelings certainly make you less excited about getting together with your loved ones for yet another holiday round of taking potshots at each other, don't they?

The best advice is to turn the other cheek and let the healing start with you. Don't engage in the verbal exchanges. Let's make a commitment to transform the holidays.

Contribute positive and complimentary comments whenever appropriate and called for. If a negative thought travels through your mind; let it go. Let's take Christmas back to a time of inspiration and closeness that it's meant to be.

Here's an inspirational quotation that can apply to our dealings with family members at Christmas or any time of year.



Your loved ones will forgive you for what you have said
Your family will forget things that you have done
They will never forget the way that you made them feel



The meaning of this short inspirational quote is that feelings live much longer than the actual effects of a pointed remark or action. The message here is that if you have hurt those who love you in the past. There's no time like the present to make things better between you.