Expressing gratitude is something that I am becoming more aware of in my daily life. I am so good at thinking that I should express gratitude, but then I get distracted and forget to say something. I have several friends who are wonderful at taking time to express gratitude. These ladies always remember to call or send a text if there is something quick they want to say. Other times, they send cards or write notes.
When I stop and think about it, I am the one who needs to become aware of acknowledging kind deeds. Now you know I am a huge promoter of the written note, but I am finding in this confinement during COVID-19, a text or email is so uplifting. Just a simple “thinking of you” makes my day. And when I get a funny cartoon or saying, I am even more uplifted. Is there anything more warming than knowing you are being thought of by a special person in your life?
Today during this Thanksgiving season, express your gratitude to someone who you love and admire. It might be a cute text or email or a lovely note. It will warm your heart and theirs. I am thankful for you that we share a love of life. I pray your Thanksgiving, which might not be your normal tradition, will be meaningful. Stay safe, be careful and know you are so important to the people in your life.
Comments 14
Thank you Phyllis, for always being an encourager. I too am so thankful for friendship – both my real “in life” friends and my online friends. During this year every single one has become even more precious. Our friends on our own FGH blog are also a group of caring women {and men!} who are grateful for their blessings, and I’m thankful for them on the daily.
We can all spread light and love with a sparkle of laughter in our world. Wishing you and your family a special Thanksgiving filled with joy! Xo Lidy
I am so thankful for those who are encouragers even in the midst of troublesome times. I want to do my part to encourage everyone to remain stedfast in the Lord during this time. God spoke into my spirit on November 4th that He wanted His Church…the Body of Christ…to be like Daniel (Daniel 10: 10-14) and to keep praying, keep pressing in in prayer…to pierce the “principalities and powers of darkness” so that the angels can get through to help our nation. We must not give up but keep praying and interceding for our nation to remain “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. Many have gone before us and paid a great price at strategic times in our history…now we must do our part. God always requires our “loaves and fishes” but, thankfully, He always multiplies them. PTL! I believe our “loaves and fishes” at this time is to do as I Timothy 2: 1-4 instructs us to do. Our nation’s amazing history shows that there were many times when it looked like there was no way to overcome the enemy…but people prayed, stood firm and God came through with a miracle every time. So let’s keep our eyes on Him and our ears open to His Words and let’s not listen to the avenues of unbelief that bombard us from this world’s airways…I’ve turned those off. God’s promises and His voice to me in prayer are what brings me hope and peace. I know that God is faithful to heal and restore when we do as II Chronicles 7:14 & 15 directs us to do. So be encouraged to “keep on keeping on”. Stay in prayer and in God’s Word and when you’ve done all that you can & know to do…Stand…and “see the salvation of the Lord”. It’s not over until God says its over! :o) These scripture passages from Isaiah 60:1-2, Amos 5:24, Isaiah 54:17, (and so many others) are wonderful Truths to declare and share with others at this time. Be encouraged…God’s glorious light is beginning to shine through all the unveiling of darkness & deceit and I believe that His glory will become brighter and brighter in our nation as we reflect it all back to Him Who is the Worthy One!
Thank you, Phyllis, for always bringing the beauty of hope and encouragement our way. I am so grateful for your “calling”. God bless you and yours!
Our Bible study group decided to send Thanksgiving cards to the shut-ins of our church. We compiled a list, split it up, and sent cards with heartfelt messages written in them, and will do the same with Christmas cards!
I have a long time friend that moved further away with her hubby. But she never forgets to remain in contact. I receive a text every Sunday with a cute or funny picture and a hello. It’s so welcome and puts a smile on my face! Thankfully, I have other friends I keep in touch with via text. It’s good to have this communication option. But, occasionally I will make or receive a phone call. I find it is also wonderful to hear a friends voice, which warms the heart.
Thank you, Phyllis, for your lovely reminder. There is no doubt that the regular practice of gratitude creates such positive feelings in ones life and opens the door for greater blessings. Focusing on our gratitude truly is a powerful, healing state. I’ve seen it first hand in my life and others. Starting with thank you that I opened my eyes again today, took another breath and have the gift of another day of life. Like so many others, I am grateful for you, Phyllis, for bring such beauty and elegance to the world through Victoria, your other publications and this blog. Beauty is so good for the soul. Thank you for bringing it to so many. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
We try to stay in touch with relatives and friends. We send birthday cards and holiday cards. We just mailed off our Thanksgiving cards. Many may not reciprocate or acknowledge but we still enjoy sending them cards. We hope these messages can brighten their day. Phyllis we are thankful for all the lovely things you offer to your fans, especially Victoria. Wishing you and yours and the entire Hoffman family a blessed Thanksgiving. God Bless.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
I’m sure we could ALL be more thankful. One way I help myself to do that is to keep a Blessings Journa. About 25/26 yrs. ago, I went through a horrible, lengthy, life changing trial. As a Christian I knew I would be fearful and complain through it. I knew I would see, had to recognize the goodness of God during this time So I started my Blessing Journal. I always wait til the end of the day, you never know when the Lord will send it. Reading back through all these yrs. (still do it) encourages me in the Lord’s faithfulness. No, He didn,t make everything all better and still doesn’t. Some of my entry’s are very simple. “Thank you Lord for letting me see a rabbit today! and in the city!” ” Thank you for my first bottle of nail polish being on sale! ” ” I was so weary and sad today, when I took the mail in there was a note from a friend with a teabag of my favorite tea! ” ” Thank YOU for the Psalm I read this morn, made me brave” . I know she to the condition of our country now AND this past year, it is so important I do this. I am a huge note and letter writer, so nice to hold in hand and read over and over. I always send out Thanksgiving cards. This year I sent out 41. Yes it was expensive (stamps) but I wanted people to know how much I appreciate and appreciated their help this past year. Just dropping off milk… I hope it uplifted them. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow and flow and flow…
Being a Canadian, we celebrated our Thanksgiving in October. The day always brings me joy and good old and new memories. It is the start of the holiday season. Keeping in mind ones respect for our military, fathers and grandfathers on November 11th.
I enjoy this season. I enjoy getting in touch with people I haven’t heard from for a while.
I slowly decorate after November 11th. But this year is different.
I put up a small tree at work today in my office. People came to see it. They were all saying due to COVID-19 how much of a pick me up they are in need of. They were saying they were going to start sending Christmas cards out early and start decorating themselves. Some have never sent a Christmas card were going to get in touch with a few people just to touch base. Remember people you haven’t heard from in a while. Touch base. Say hello. We all need it this year. Don’t forget the hospitals and first responders in your neighborhood. Send them a card. They all need a big thank-you and a giant hug from a distance. A good project for elementary schools to do. Have an wonderful Thanksgiving. Make memories. Send a note, email or better still make a call so people call hear you voice.
Thank you for your uplifting words Phyllis. I have many things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season and God is truly good! I am especially grateful for Victoria and all the beauty it brings into our lives. Beauty is not something I take for granted and I look for it everywhere. No matter how we celebrate this year, I pray that God will bless you and all your readers with a very happy, healthy and blessed Thanksgiving Day.
Thank You Phyliss! Your thoughts are always expressed so beautifully in your letters to the Editor inn both magazines I recieve. I also get the specail interest ones so I know you are so talented.
Phyllis.
What a lovely post! One of the things I am grateful for is you, and Victoria magazine. You, your family and your hard working staff performed nothing less than a miracle when you successfully brought back “Victoria” into the lives of millions of readers who were dearly missing the beauty, joy, uplifting spirit and happiness we all derived from the magazine. I really mean it, I actually cried with joy when I got the first premier new issue in the mail in November of 2007. A lot of hard work and a great deal of love went into it all. So thanks to you, dear Phyllis. God has blessed us in so many ways, and I thank him and my family. Lets pray for the better year ahead.
Have you ever heard that metaphor of life described as a tapestry? Perhaps we only see the dark gnarly threads of the underside in this life but in Heaven, we’ll see the other side of the tapestry, the beautiful picture GOD has woven of our lives. I’ve been in the dark battle threads of breast cancer this year but through it all, GOD has shown me so many bright threads of kindness and compassion from friends, family and wonderful medical teams. GOD has used these folks as living threads of hope for me. For each of them, I am so grateful. Thank you Phyllis for stirring us to good works by reminding us to express gratitude not only to GOD but to the people He uses in our lives. I’m grateful for your gift of encouragement!
What a nice reminder to spread kindness and love. Thank you for this! Your posts are always thought-provoking and lovely!
While I am not a fan of technology, I too have embraced texting and emailing in recent years and especially now because of this situation we find ourselves in this year. Whether it’s something funny or heartfelt or as you said a simple message that someone is thinking of me, it really makes the tough days easier and the good days even better!
Thank you Phyllis for your ribbon and a big thank you to all who contribute to it.