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“Oh, I’m so stuffed!” How many times will you hear those words uttered today? Keep tally and let me know tomorrow. A shared meal chock full of traditions passed from generation to generation, mixed in with new recipes that someone found on Pinterest.
Well, today, I’m starting off the day by saying that I’m stuffed! No, I haven’t been sampling the turkey or pumpkin pie. In fact, I’m not even cooking this year. However, my heart is absolutely full- she’s stuffed to the point where I think she may just burst by the end of year.
In comparison to some, I don’t have much. In comparison to others, I have riches beyond comprehension. Where do you place yourself when you start to count your blessings? Being mindful of this will help you realize that you too have much to be grateful for today and every day. Counting each and every blessing fills my heart with every beat.
The best part of *gratitude* trending today, is that people are letting their own full hearts motivate them to DO SOMETHING. Gratitude shouldn’t be wasted, only in thoughts or words- it needs fertile ground to sow its seeds. Snow, nor Black Friday madness, is no match against seeds of gratitude!
I had written earlier about the tradition that my daughter and I share: Black Friday with a Heart of Gold. The response has been so heartwarming!!! Not only have we met and surpassed our goal, but it sparked a conversation with our friends at Little Joe’s Coffee & Books, our local independent bookstore in Katonah. In addition to our donation run, we are going to be helping out with Little Joe’s Turn Black Friday YELLOW event, making and filling stockings for service members and Veterans. I was already in love with this small business, but when Gretchen and Peter of Little Joe’s told me that they wanted to do something to give back to service members, veterans and their families- well, it just continued to fill my heart immensely!
Our Second Annual Donation Run for our Black Friday with a Heart of Gold will be a little different this year. We will still make an early morning run at our local Target for gifts to donate to the Westchester Christmas Dinner, but we will also take advantage of our small businesses. In addition to Little Joe’s Turn Black Friday YELLOW, if you are in the area, 10% of the sales made at G. Willikers on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday will be donated to the Northern Westchester Community Center! You can shop for donations, support small businesses, give back to your community AND support our service members, veterans and families all in one block!
Now that’s what I call a great #BlackFridayHOG!
If you aren’t local, there are still many ways that YOU can get involved! This time of year, you don’t need to look far to find a food drive, or a Toys for Tots drive. You can create your own care packages and letters for service members, Veterans or their families with the help of Operation Gratitude.
Fill your heart with gratitude today just as much as you fill your plate and let it inspire you to DO SOMETHING. Make sure to share with us all of the ways that you are celebrating #BlackFridayHOG tomorrow throughout the day!
My prayer for each and everyone of you, is that today, when you stop to count your blessings, that you never reach the end of that list; that it carries with you today through tomorrow and well beyond. May we never overlook the blessings that we have. And for those of us who are able, may we constantly look for ways to give to those who have less.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, and those that you hold dear!
