It’s the time of year when our thoughts turn to gratitude.  Some of us will have a fairly easy time of this … the year has been good, we are healthy and have good friends and family to support us.  For others this may be a challenging time. It may not have been a very healthy year  and it’s hard to  feel thankful when you feel lousy and frightened.  Your support system may not be strong, you feel lonely.  It’s a challenging time for some …

How do we go within and find what we are thankful for in our lives regardless of what is happening in our outer realities? These are often the events or situations that are beyond our control.  I think that these are the times we need to dig deep to unearth feelings of hope when we are dark in despair. I’m not talking about pretending to feel what you don’t really feel or covering up your darker feelings with a layer of marshmallow frosting.  In fact, I believe that real hope can be excavated in the ruins of depression and hopelessness.  It’s not necessarily easy or sweet … but light can be discovered in darkness

Desmond Tutu said, ” Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”  To help you with this challenge, I offer the following template.  I welcome you to contact me and let me know what you came up with in your exploration  at ckrautermft@sbcglobal.net

Giving Thanks
My name is _______________________________________________________
The date is _______________________________________________________
These are the people who are important in my life:
1. ________________________ because ___________________________
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2. ________________________ because ___________________________
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3. ________________________ because ___________________________
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This year I am most thankful for _______________________________________
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When I think of Thanksgiving, I think about ______________________________
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My best Thanksgiving memory is _____________________________