Why We're Starting a Thankful Thursday Tradition

            Some of my friends are already aware that over the past few weeks I have been asking them to post words of thanks on their Facebook or Twitter accounts. I have called it Thankful Thursday. I am not the first person to post Thankful Thursday messages. But, I think it is an important tradition to start. It is a good reminder that at least once a week, I need to stop and express my gratitude for all I have been blessed with.

            I have been encouraged as many of my friends also have posted messages of gratitude on Thankful Thursday. I think it is so important that as a community, we express thanks for family, jobs, relaxation, friends, and so many other things. There are so many negative words passed along on social media sites. There are days when it becomes depressing to look at these sites, as I watch friends argue over politics, religion, cultural mores, and everything else under the sun. Some of those discussion are important. However, many times, it seems that those arguments descend to name calling and hostile written exchanges. It’s time for something good and positive.

            I want there to be a day when my kids can look at social media (in whatever form or expression it takes in the future) and see that there is more than negativity. I also have a dream that one day Thankful Thursday will be such a big deal that it trends weekly on social media sites. I think that would be a blessing to all of our kids and grandkids.

            I know I sound a little like a pie-in-the-sky dreamer who wears rose-colored glasses. But, haven’t you felt the same unease over social media posts? Aren’t there days when you shut down your computer or smart phone in disgust over the senseless verbal arguments you read? If you are like me, you approach social media almost like you would approach a multi-vehicle accident on the interstate – you don’t want to look, but you are drawn to the scene of the carnage. Let’s turn that around. Let’s make one day a week be a day when you can be thankful for your many blessings and enjoy reading other people’s expressions of gratitude.

            I encourage you this Thursday and every Thursday to share a Thankful Thursday message. It can be a post of Facebook or Twitter. Maybe you will send an email or text of gratitude to a friend or family member. Maybe you will blog your gratitude on that day (is sky writing still an option?). Maybe you can find even more creative ways to be a part of Thankful Thursday. My friends and I have been tagging our messages with a #ThankfulThursday. I encourage you to do the same.


Lance

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Goodbudget: The Best Tool for Creating and Living on a Budget

Image
Like most Americans, we have struggled with budgeting. There have been times when we have overspent our budget. There have been times our eyes led us to buy items we simply could not afford. We have been crippled by consumer debt, and slowly worked our way out of that debt. A few years ago we said, "No More!" We had had enough of the roller coaster ride and took action. We decided to live within our means, spending only what we earned. It was not an easy decision. We really had to lean into it, and tripped some along the way. Today we can say say that we do live within our means. It's still a struggle (and we always long to make more money so that we don't have to cinch our belts so much). The most helpful tool we have found to help us live on a budget is Goodbudget. The Goodbudget Logo Goodbudget is a website and mobile phone app and tool for budgeting. No matter where we go, we are able to enter purchases into the app from our mobile phone. So, there...
Read more

That Time We Visited a Micronation

Image
One of the great things about being part of a family is that we get to learn new things. Each person has unique interests. Often those interest grow or change over time. This is especially true with our kids. As their world of knowledge broadens, so do their interests. Our son has developed an interest in micro-nations. What is a micro-nation? It's new to us too. A micro-nation is a created country. Our son and his friend have discovered a few of these micro-nations online. The founders of the nations may create a currency or a constitution for their country. Of course, the micro-nations are not recognized by the United Nations or other official governments, however, they may be recognized by other micro-nations. If you do an online search, you find a plethora of micro-nations throughout the world. During our winter school break, we visited family. Before the visit, my son discovered that one micro-nation was located near our extended family. He begged me to visit the Republi...
Read more

How We Changed Our Mindset to Clear the Clutter

Image
As the New Year bells chime our family has found those bells do not resonate as soundly as they should. Why? Because we live a life of clutter. The beautiful bell chimes are blocked by stuff. We are by no means hoarders. You can (in most spaces) clearly walk through rooms without fear of tripping over junk. But that doesn't mean that we don't have clutter. This year, we are making a valiant and concerted effort to clean the clutter. We have already started the process, and it is liberating. But, how did we get to the point where we are hemmed in and trapped by our possession rather than free? We have started to struggle with this question. There is no easy or simple answer to the question. A lot of factors created this clutter-filled lifestyle. At the outset, I must admit that the clutter is mostly my issue. My wife has never placed a high value on material possessions. She easily discards items that are no longer useful and have no sentimental value. I have not had s...
Read more