However, why does it take a holiday or a special event like a birthday or anniversary for us to reflect on what we are most thankful for? Shouldn’t we have a spirit of gratefulness throughout the entire year? Sometimes it even takes a “loss” to capture our attention to regain a sense of appreciation to something or someone we may have been taking for granted. For instance, have you ever lost:

	A loved one – parent, sibling, spouse or child?
	A close friendship?
	A job?
	An aspect of your health from a disease or illness?
	A major customer or client?
	A privilege…at work, home or in society?

Over the past year, both Jon and I have experienced several personal loses (i.e. his sister Carla died at the young age of 53 after a sudden stroke and we recently lost an 18-year old family cat that my step-children gave me). On the other hand, we were blessed with several delightful nieces and nephews to our families, I believe we gained an invaluable fresh perspective on what really matters most in life. Perhaps you haven’t recently experienced any type of “loss”, but might you be feeling frustrated about something or someone in your life…that without; you’d feel regret, emptiness or even fear?

For instance, I hear people complain about a lot of things...demanding jobs, bad bosses, difficult customers, insensitive spouses, rebellious teenagers and annoying in-laws! Let’s all take a TIME OUT for just a moment in our complex lives and imagine what our life would be without them. Now, you first might be thinking…PEACEFUL! But I would venture that in time, life without a job (that pays your bills) or family (that truly loves and cares about you) you would feel empty, scared or lonely.

Last year for my birthday, some friends gave me the book 50 Things That Really Matter. I recently took it off the book shelf and have laid it on the coffee table as a daily reminder to keep life in perspective. These are just a few of the things listed in this book:

Memories	Saying “I’m sorry”	Time with Family
Honest Work	Saying “Thank you”	Quiet, Alone Time
Faith	Flowers	Dreams
Bubble Baths	Mothers and Fathers	Hugs
Children	A Good Book	Sunrises and Sunsets
Passion	Friends	Holidays
Music	Naps	Holding Hands
Saying “I love you”	Thunderstorms	Trust and Respect
A Good Cup of Coffee	Courage	Giving
Home	Companionship	Hope

I’d like to add one more attribute we all have and that is the “Power of Choice”. We can choose to complain or complement; accept or argue, initiate or ignore…so many things in our daily lives. May you choose to embrace and enjoy the spirit of being grateful to people and things around you at work and home not only this holiday season, but all year round…it’s a GREAT feeling!