An Attitude of Gratitude

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and a reminder that we need to stop, take a breath, and at least once a year, count our blessings instead of whining about all the perceived imperfections in our lives.

As a poor kid growing up in Miami, I was always taught to be thankful, and to show gratitude for anything anyone did for me or gave to me. We take for granted so much in our lives. It is only when we lose something, like our health, that we realize how blessed we were when we had good health.

With an attitude of gratitude every day, take care of those blessings you have, like your health, your friends, your family, your customers, employees, vendors and your prosperity at any level, and thus prevent or delay the loss. When there is gratitude, value is perceived and an effort is made to care for and maintain it.

My family was a hard working, blue collar family. We did not have status or influence and there were no family or friends in high places opening doors for us. We just had to work very hard for what we achieved, earning our way with every step. What great training that was for my sister and me. There are no entitlement expectations in this family. We all feel like we could lose everything and we would be just fine. We would work hard, as always, and rebuild.

So with a grateful heart, I thank my husband, mom, sister, aunts, and cousins and friends. I am grateful to my clients, my colleagues, and all who make serving my clients possible. I am grateful to all who work so hard to keep this country safe and free. You mean a great deal to me. I love you all.

Blessings to all of you and a Happy Thanksgiving.