Tag Archives: Thanksgiving

Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings

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“Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

—William Arthur Ward, 20th Century American motivational writer

Image from Unsplash by Simon Maage

As we enter the holiday season, my gratitude goes to all of you for being loyal readers of The Quotable Coach.

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a reminder to appreciate the abundance in our lives.

Please take the opportunity to reflect on the people and experiences that have made you rich.

In the spirit of thankfulness, I hope that you will spread kindness, love, and positivity throughout your communities, and that it resonates and takes root throughout the world.

 

In Gratitude

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Today is the American Thanksgiving holiday. It is a day in which we express our gratitude for the abundance we enjoy in material things, as well as things that can’t be bought—friends, family, good health, and so much more.

My gratitude goes out to each of you, faithful readers of The Quotable Coach series. I hope you continue to find these messages worthwhile, and that they bring you both motivation and a few nuggets of wisdom.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Image from Unsplash by Priscilla du Preez

Today is the American Thanksgiving holiday – a day in which we all take time to honor and express our gratitude for the abundance we enjoy – in material things, but also in those things
that can’t be bought. Friends, family, good health, and so much more.

My gratitude goes out to each of you, faithful readers of The Quotable Coach series. I hope you continue to find these messages worthwhile, and that they bring you both motivation and a few nuggets of wisdom.

He who receives a benefit with gratitude

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“He who receives a benefit with gratitude repays the first installment on his debt.”

—Seneca, ancient Roman Philosopher

"Thank You" spelled out in wooden blocks

Image from Unsplash by Courtney Hedger

On this special day of Thanksgiving in the United States, I hope you are spending time with family and friends.

Throughout the day, consider all the riches you have in your life. Consider, too, the benefits you’ve received from those around you.

Take this time to fully and generously thank those in the kitchen, at the dinner table, and watching the football game, as a small installment on this debt.

EXERCISE:

How can and will you take this attitude of gratitude with you throughout the holiday season and new year to generate a surplus in your account?

Thanksgiving 2016

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“Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness and gratitude.”

—Nigel Hamilton, British Biographer/Broadcaster

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EXERCISE:

Who are those special people that make your life so wonderful? Make an extra special effort today, and every day, to show them and tell them.

THANK YOU so much for being a part of The Quotable Coach Project!

Most Sincerely,

Barry Demp

Thanksgiving from Barry Demp

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TQC Thanksgiving-01

Dear Friends:

Thanksgiving, to me, is more than a holiday, a great meal, and big football games.

Thanks-Giving—gratitude—is a way of life, a discipline and for many, a spiritual practice.

Today I give thanks for all of you—my friends, followers, clients, and colleagues.  Each of you have enriched my life by allowing me into your mind, your heart, or your world.

May this Thanks-Giving bring you laughter, love, and thanks for all that you have and all that comes to you over the next year.

Gratefully,

Barry Demp

 

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like…”

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“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

— William Arthur Ward, one of America’s most quoted writers

Photo from Flickr by Steven Depolo

Photo from Flickr by Steven Depolo

Six or seven years ago the economy in Michigan and the U.S. hit a rough patch. Most people were tightening their belts and cutting back on unessential expenditures.

That year, my wife Wendy and I agreed that we would take the vacation we both desired, and consider the trip the only holiday gift we would give each other.

When the holidays arrived, I was shocked and upset to find a pile of presents in front of our fireplace. Before I could utter a word, Wendy said: “Calm down. I know you think I’ve broken my promise. Before you say anything, please open one of the gifts.”

To my surprise, she had boxed and wrapped many of my favorite things  from around the house — my favorite book, a special tie, my most comfortable sweater — because she wanted to express her love and gratitude to me by surprising me with gifts to unwrap.

EXERCISE:

What new and creative ways can you find to express your gratitude this Thanksgiving, and throughout this holiday season?

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”

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“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”

— W. Clement Stone, businessman, philanthropist and self-help book author

Photo from Flickr by Alan Levine

Photo from Flickr by Alan Levine

This is perhaps the most appropriate Thanksgiving quote of all time. It conveys the two fundamental ideas for this great American holiday, and this time of year.

“Thanks” is a simple word expressing gratitude for all our blessings.

“Giving” expresses love and genuine caring, which always comes back to us two-fold, and gives us even more reason for gratitude.

EXERCISE:

Take a moment today to explore exactly what Thanksgiving means to you, and feel free to share your thoughts. I’d be very thankful if you do!

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.”

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“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.”

– Carl Sandburg

This quote originally appeared as #5 in The Quotable Coach series (https://www.thequotablecoach.com/time/time-is-the-coin-of-life). It has been so popular over the past year and a half that I wanted to share with you my father Marvin’s reflection on it. – Barry

When I was a young man and physically fit, I felt somewhat indestructible. Then at the age of 30, I decided to undergo surgery for my duodenal ulcer which was troubling me. Unfortunately in those days, surgery involved losing 80% of my stomach. I recovered nicely and my stomach grew so that I could eat a full meal, but not overeat.

At the age of 40, while driving to a counselors’ convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania, I suddenly got a severe pain in my head. God was with me while I pulled off the road and hailed the first car that I saw: the driver stopped. Soon after I found myself in the Hershey Hospital. I had suffered a stroke.

Now, at the age of 87, I find that each day is precious. I’m looking forward to warmer weather and my condo in Florida. I need to regain some of my strength, endurance, balance and flexibility by swimming regularly. I still have some quarters in the jar!

Exercise:

How many quarters are in your jar – and how will you be spending them over the next few weeks?

What would you do differently if you treated each day as precious?