Be Thankful Always

My boys are really good boys, but we have reached an age where they don't really have the best reactions when they don't get their way.  Alex has started stomping away with an angry expression on his face and Logan will say, "WHAT?" in a hateful tone when he doesn't get his way.  They are typical kids who wish to express their feelings and their disapproval. Just like adults, they get so hung up on what they don't have or what they can't do and overlook the many things they do have. I have been trying to remind them of this as often as I can because, let's be honest, even though life tends to throw some curve balls, for the most part, we are very blessed.  Jacob and I are teaching our children to look at the world in a different way--to look at their lives in a different way.  Instead of, "I don't want to eat this, it looks yucky," we are encouraging them to be thankful that they have food to eat.  Not everyone can say that.  My boys are now eating foods they never would have eaten in the past. They realize some people don't have all the food they have and they are (dare I say it) thankful. Instead of whining about game systems and toys they want (but don't have) we remind them that they have a room full of toys and a garage with a ridiculous amount of game systems, including an arcade game.

The truth is, you are only given one life.  Why not make it a good one?  Why not focus on all you DO have and stop obsessing about what you don't have?  You don't get a redo at the end of this journey.  That's it.  I want my children to be positive.  I want them to be encouraging, respectful, helpful, caring and strong.  I don't want them to be lazy or selfish.  I don't want them to believe that they deserve everything they want--I want them to believe that they deserve everything they have; to know that they have everything they need; and to be happy with what they have been given.  I know too many people who freak out over every little thing.  People who seek out drama and reasons to be unhappy.  Why?  Is that really how you want to spend your one and only life?  Not me!  I don't want it for my children either.

There is always something to be thankful for.  Always.