Thankfulness – Value of Challenges

One of life's gifts is that each of us, no matter what challenges or disability we have, can find reasons for joy and thankfulness.

With a number of countries celebrating Thanksgiving this month, this gives us additional encouragement to live, demonstrate and believe in thankfulness, as I describe in: Demonstrate Gratitude and Embrace Thankfulness.

In this season of thankfulness we can learn a valuable lesson from the Struggling Butterfly Story.

As we go through and experience life, keep in mind that experiencing challenges is an important part of any growth. In fact, it is the struggle that causes us to develop our ability to fly. 　

When the butterfly was denied the ability to experience ordinary obstacles and challenges, the butterfly’s life was impeded from reaching its full potential. In most cases going through challenges, experiencing life changing events, or enduring other difficulties will help us grow personally and professionally, and we should be thankful.

Every day should be Thanksgiving in our hearts and actions.

• Be thankful for some obstacles and challenges in our lives’.

• Learn the value of re-prioritizing your schedule, to allow you to have time to spend with love ones, family, friends and new acquaintances.

• Share time and enjoy the companionship of others during this season of thankfulness.

How will you show gratitude and thankfulness?

Do you have any tips, or stories to encourage and motivate us to be thankful and show blessing for what we do have?

We all look forward to sharing thankfulness together and hearing from you.

Bill Tipton

Contributing Author,

Global Dialogue Center

http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wdtipton

Facebook: http://profile.to/wdtipton

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wdtipton

Comments

[Buddy Hancock]

Bill,
Happy Thanksgiving! In the category "tips, or stories to encourage and motivate us to be thankful and show blessing for what we do have" -- here's a poem I was reminded of this morning:

I Met God in the Morning
By Ralph Cushman

I met God in the morning,
When my day was at its best
And His presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered;
All day long He stayed with me;
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them
Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind.
When I too had loosed the moorings
With the Presence left behind.

So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way;
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day.

--Buddy

[Kelli Oliveri]

Hi Bill,
Thanks for sharing... Such a great reminder and I love the post from Buddy as well.

Over Thanksgiving I found a poem my dad sent to my grandmother when she was going through hard times and sickness (he has been deceased for more than 14 years now). I think it is very appropriate to add to this post as well (and I was really happy to have found it). I don't know who the author is but my mother said it was a well known poem (I'll Google it when I have a chance). In any case, here it is... enjoy.

God has not promised
Skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways
All our lives through.

God has not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow
Peace without pain.

BUT

God has promised
Strength for the day
Rest for the labor
Light for the way
Grace for the trials
Help from above
Unfailing sympathy
Undying Love.

[Bill Tipton]

Thank you Buddy and Kelli for your thoughtful comments, and sharing such meaningful poems.

I believe these poems represent how trusting our faith and higher powers can help facilitate in experiencing gratefulness and thankfulness.

Personally, I have had many challenges, life changing emergencies and some life threatening circumstances. My family, friends and co-workers watched and witnessed the benefits of trusting their spiritual faith through those challenges and difficult times.

Does anyone else have stories to encourage and motivate us during the holiday season to be thankful and show gratitude for what we do have, despite any challenges?

We all look forward to hearing your comments.

Bill Tipton
Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wdtipton
Facebook: http://profile.to/wdtipton
Twitter: http://twitter.com/wdtipton