Being Thankful: What Does It Really Mean?

We all go through so many ups and downs within our lives, and the one thing that we hear from each other the most when asked how we handle our lives, is that we're thankful. But, what does being thankful really mean? Is it a mere confession with your mouth of faith, hope, persistence, and optimism, or does being thankful take much more than verbal words to be fully embraced?

Being thankful is not just defined by us saying that we are, but by showing it as well. When you say that you are thankful for your life, then you should take the time to nurture your body and your spirit by eating properly and reading books that grows your spirituality. If you say that you are thankful for the shelter of your home, then you should always strive to keep your homes in order and beautiful to the eye. If you say that you are thankful for your family, then do your best to keep in touch with them and celebrate their special times along with them. It is important to know and remember that while we can easily say that we are thankful, we truly enlighten the word when we show it. It is not enough to say that you are thankful to have a car that runs if you do not show it by keeping it clean and in tune. It is not enough to say that you are thankful for your creativity without sharing your creative talents with others. If you are truly thankful for having food in your refrigerator and pantry, then show it by not over consuming or wasting food. If you are thankful for the beauty of nature, then show it by recycling more or joining or donating to a eco-friendly organization.

Being Thankful Daily: Keep a gratitude journal and fill it with words and names of things that you are most thankful for, then define different ways in which you can show your thankfulness more often than just saying it.

Too often do we just use the word thankful in vein, very much like the word love. You can say that you love someone, but it is not until you physically show it does it really have an effect; and the same goes for when you say that you are thankful. So the next time you tell someone that you are thankful for something, make sure that you truly are by defining an action that shows how thankful you really are.