Friday thoughts: International Thank You Day (and why it is important to be thankful)

Today being International Thank You Day prompted me to write a few words about the importance of being thankful. And I am obviously not referring to merely displaying good manners by saying please and thank you.

There’s a lot more to the words “thank you” than just good manners. Truth is, we all have millions of things to be thankful for – every second of our lives literally.

To me personally, every single day is a true blessing and I am eternally grateful for all the things I have in my life – my family, my friends, my job, just to name a few – and even basic stuff like having a roof above my head and food on the table every day. We sometimes take basic things like that for granted but it’s important to be grateful for having them in our lives and never take anything or anyone for granted.

Because being thankful brings peace to your soul and makes you feel happy and content. Because if you get a minute to sit down and make a list of all those little “invisible” things you have in your life, you’ll suddenly realize you are one hell of a lucky bugger for being here in the first place! We all are.

Some might say being grateful is easier said than done when you’re struggling or facing trouble of some sort in your life but hey – even adversities sometimes lead to good things for us in the long run.

Having said that, I’ll finish off with this beautiful poem by Edgar Albert Guest.

Or in other words – be thankful for what you have and as for everything else… see it through!

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See It Through

by Edgar Albert Guest

When you’re up against a trouble,

Meet it squarely, face to face;

Lift your chin and set your shoulders,

Plant your feet and take a brace.

When it’s vain to try to dodge it,

Do the best that you can do;

You may fail, but you may conquer,

See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you

And your future may seem grim,

But don’t let your nerve desert you;

Keep yourself in fighting trim.

If the worst is bound to happen,

Spite of all that you can do,

Running from it will not save you,

See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,

When with troubles you’re beset,

But remember you are facing

Just what other men have met.

You may fail, but fall still fighting;

Don’t give up, whate’er you do;

Eyes front, head high to the finish.

See it through!