THE COUNSELOR'S CORNER: Thanksgiving 2021

In two days, we celebrate Thanksgiving. In spite of all the struggles in the world with this COVID pandemic, political turmoil, gun violence, and deaths of close friends and family members, we can still focus on being grateful. Each of us were given existence. Each of us have had positive experiences. And each of us have met loving people on our journey through life. Thanksgiving celebrations are more than football and even more than a good meal. This is a time to focus on being grateful for each moment of life. It is a time to focus on what happens when we connect with other people and are kind to others. We celebrate the memory of Native Americans and the newcomers from Europe having a meal together in friendship. That first Thanksgiving is what the world needs now. Friendship and fellowship. It is gratefulness which leads to love. Gratitude and Love make families better. Gratitude and Love makes everyone better especially the one who is being grateful and loving. When I see our adult children, their spouses and our seven grandchildren, and our close friends, I have something to give them, a warm and loving affirmation and a kind and loving heart. Thanksgiving is a reminder of how important it is to be grateful and loving. It opens me up to a deeper union with God. It opens me up to discovering what life should be all about: Gratitude and Love. Gratitude leads to Love and Love leads to Gratitude. Resentments and misery begin to disappear when I am grateful and loving. Gratitude and Love bring me into an inner freedom and an appreciation of this present moment. Life should be about Love. Life should be about gratitude. It brings such inner peace and comfort when I decide to be loving and grateful. But I must make the decision to do this. Thanksgiving reminds me that gratitude is a decision. Love is a decision. When I decide to be loving and grateful, I put myself into a LOVING PRESENCE AND LOVING ATMOSPHERE. It helps me to experience God. It helps me to experience the best in other people. It helps me to experience the best in myself. No amount of money or possessions can bring me as much inner peace and GRATITUDE AND LOVE. Happy Thanksgiving 2021 everyone. Love everyone and be grateful for everyone. It will bring a whole new viewpoint and attitude about life and lift your heart to see love and goodness everywhere. Love and Goodness is what life is all about. But I must make a decision to bring love and goodness and gratitude into my life. This decision will put me into a loving and grateful attitude and help me bring this to others. So simple. So profound. So helpful. -------- Fred Cavaiani is a licensed marriage & family therapist and limited licensed psychologist with a private practice in Troy. He is the founder of Marriage Growth Center. He conducts numerous programs for groups throughout Michigan. Cavaiani is associate editor and contributing writer for Human Development Magazine. His column in the Legal News runs every other Tuesday. He can be reached at 248-362-3340. His e-mail address is: Fredcavi@yahoo.com and his website is FredsCounselorsCorner.com. Published: Tue, Nov 23, 2021