I find no better time to discuss a “A ShIFt” in Attitude to Gratitude, than the week of Thanksgiving. It seems that sometimes people get all caught up in this time of year representing the beginning of the Holidays and they can truly forget what the “essence” of this time of year is ie TRULY all about.

Back in the “ancient times”, it was the time when all the crops had reached their full harvest and winter preparation was planned and all the harvest food was prepped for the winter months, so there would be food to eat. In Holland, where the Pilgrims came from, this tradition was called “Harvest Home”.

In 1620, when the Pilgrims had experienced the beginning of their first winter in New England, half of them had died and many were starving, due to their 1st crops not doing well that year. Not only were they lacking in their expertise on farming in the New England climate, they also, were not skilled in fishing or hunting.

It was not until a Native American walked into their village of 52 people, that their lives were saved. Squanto was the Native American, of the Wampanoag Tribe, who taught the Pilgrims how to farm, fish and hunt in the New England environment. In order to thank him for his kindness and his teachings, the Pilgrims invited Squanto and 90 of his people to ”Harvest Home”, to celebrate the bounty of their harvest due to Squanto’s gracious guidance, which eventually became a yearly Thanksgiving tradition in the United States. IF we look at the word carefully…THANKS/GIVING. That is what the Pilgrims did when they invited the Natives to join them.

In our current “modern times”, we tend to get all caught up in family activities, travels, football and eating the Big Feast, and the retail marker of the “day after”, being one of the biggest days for holiday shopping. But how many of us TRULY reflect on our Gratitude for what has transpired in the past year? How about our Gratitude for the beautiful history of how this special celebration came about here in the U.S.? The kindness of one Native American man walking into a village of strangers to help people of a different culture, he did not know, who were struggling and starving?

When we have an attitude about things that are not working for us and we get all bent out of shape…one of the best ways to ShIFt what is happening, is to create an “Attitude of Gratitude.”

What do you take for granted, that you can shIFt and be in an “Attitude of Gratitude” about?

Many of us are truly blessed in our Abundance, but there are many who do not even observe and appreciate ”all they have” and what they may be taking for granted.

What is your attitude? Do you need to shIFt it to Gratitude?

One way to create a shIFt is to start a “Gratitude Journal”, writing in a “Gratitude Journal” every day can profoundly shIFt the circumstances of your life. It certainly creates an opening and a shIFt for more Abundance to flow your way, as you are observing what you are grateful for each day!

Some wonderful journals were created by a dear woman, Doreen Clement, who is running a special on them right now, at www.the5yearjournal.com. Please check them out. They are simple and easy to use, especially IF you are a beginner at journaling! You may also want to check out samples on gratitude moments at www.balancedlifecenter.com for some great ideas!

May you all be in an “Attitude of Gratitude” and feel the Abundance of all you are and what you are truly thankful for, this Thanksgiving!

My father received the miracle of a heart transplant, at the age of 77, in early September this year. He broke a record as the oldest man to receive one. All of us, in my family are so grateful for that…among many other things.

With  Gratitude and Abundance,

Christina Carpentier 

Master ShIFt Coach