Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Barry

“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.

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.”

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Barry

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.”

—William Blake, 19th Century English poet

Image from Unsplash by Kim Turk

How thankful have your felt lately? What are the things you appreciate the most? Try rattling off a list or 10 or even 20 items that come to mind.

Did you have clean water and clean air on your list? How about nutritious food in adequate amounts? What about having shelter and people who care about you?

Dig a little deeper into your list-making effort to determine your essentials. Notice your level of gratitude for the things many people don’t have or live in fear of going without.

It is puzzling to note many of us focus on what’s missing and our wants for more instead of being truly thankful for what we already have in great abundance.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you be a far more thankful receiver?

Where and with whom could you be a more generous giver to support others in having a more plentiful harvest?

We could never have guessed were already blessed There we were

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Barry

“We could never have guessed / were already blessed / There we were…”

—James Taylor, in “Up Er Mei”

Image from Unsplash by Donald Giannatti

The days leading to and during the holidays are times of deeper reflection for many. The slowing of our work schedules and the numerous celebrations involving family and friends help us pause to count our many blessings. This past week my son and his wife visited us, driving from Madison, Wisconsin to Warminster, Pennsylvania to reconnect and enjoy some quality time together.

Delicious meals, extended family gatherings, and playing with our daughter’s children Weston and Ella were some highlights. Perhaps the greatest blessing was simply noting how thankful we were to be in each other’s company.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you already count your many blessings? How can and will you approach this holiday season and the year ahead with a more mindful and heartfelt appreciation for all that you have?

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Barry

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s been over nine years and 2,200 posts – I am motivated by your continued readership and grateful for your comments.

Over the years, we’ve looked at motivational quotes covering nearly 200 categories or topics. Take a look at the right sidebar, scroll down till you see “categories” and take your pick!

May your days be filled with Thanks-Giving.

Thanksgiving 2018

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Barry

Dear Friends:

Thanksgiving Day is more than a holiday, a great meal, and big football games to me.
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. You have enriched my life by allowing me into your mind, your heart, and your world. May this Thanks-Giving bring you laughter, love, and gratitude for all that you have and all that comes to you over the next year.

Here are a few Thanksgiving posts from years past. May each of them give you reason for thought and celebration: