As good as cash.

"Active faith gives thanks for a promise, even though it is not yet performed, knowing that Gods contracts are as good as cash."

I am practicing this week to be more active in giving thanks. I am reframing the way I think about things. I am making a conscious effort in finding reasons to appreciate my daily occurrences. Instead of wishing I was at the beach, I looked at my seashell collection and thanked God for all the trips to the beach I've enjoyed. This led me to being thankful for my Dad and all the trips I'd got to take with him to the beach. This made me thankful for my step-mother who pushed my Dad to take all of us kids (eight) to the beach for the very first time for (five of us). That is one of the first times I can remember as ever being thankful for her. 

This challenge to be thankful is opening memories and giving me more things to be thankful. It's strange how giving thanks for one thing leads one to be thankful for other things. Just like being grumpy and complaining leads to more of the same. 

This week I am thankful for my grandsons. I am grateful for my daughter and son in love who opened their heart and home to two little boys born to an alcoholic mother. Born with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) these little guys have had everything they need to grow into normal men. For this I am thankful. I once was sad because I had no grandchildren. I was sad for the infertility challenges my daughter was battling. But these little guys changed everything. They have brought joy to our hearts for which we will be forever grateful.

ACTION STEP: People who are grateful live longer and have better health and energy. Studies show people who are grateful make more money and have more friends. Living in gratitude and a thanksgiving presence brings presents! Expect good things and good things come into your life. When we are present and awake we notice opportunities that we otherwise would have missed and overlooked. Don't miss the blessings that surround you. Gratefulness opens our eyes and awakens us to challenges and gifts all around us that are as good as cash.