THANKSGIVING IS ABOUT MORE THAN FOOD It’s About Showing Gratitude
As we prepare for our Thanksgiving feasts, Thursday night football games, and Black Friday shopping, take some time to show gratitude for those around you and for what you have. Here are a few ways to practice gratitude this month. Appreciate everything. Get into the habit of being grateful for the little things in your life. It can be easy to acknowledge the “big” things, but nothing is too small to be thankful for. You can be grateful the weather is nice and sunny, that you received the package you’ve been waiting for, or that you got out of bed today. Don’t leave out anything when practicing gratitude. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of what’s happening around you. So, instead of being overwhelmed by what you need to do tomorrow or next week, focus on the present moment and enjoy the time you spend solo or with your loved ones. Live in the moment and take one day at a time. Tomorrow will surely come, and you only have a limited amount of time in the present. Celebrate your challenges. Sometimes struggles and battles in our lives can weigh us down. But when you persevere and continue to push forward, you will find success. Challenges help you improve your abilities and resilience, so celebrate the progress you’ve made. Showing gratitude for challenges and negative experiences allows us to acknowledge humility and appreciate growth in our lives. Keep a journal. Writing down the things you’re grateful for will remind you of all the great things you have when other things aren’t going so well. So, keep a journal about what you’re grateful for each day or week — even if it’s just small things at first. Your perspective on life will change, and it will get easier to see the good things and to feel grateful for things you were likely overlooking. Showing gratitude is something we should do every day, all throughout the year — not just during the holidays. So, try to practice mindfulness and gratitude using these tips! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Consider Them in Your Giving This Season! Every person on Earth has two vital needs: food and housing. So, if you’re looking for ways to give back to your community during this holiday season, those are great places to start. Our team engages as much as possible with local charities that help people in need, and these are two of our favorite organizations that stay busy taking care of the basics. The San Antonio Food Bank (SAFoodBank.org) This huge food bank serves 100,000 people every single week and hands out 74 million meals annually. A lot of those meals go to kids. According to the food bank, 1 in 4 children in our city goes to bed hungry — can you believe that? Fortunately, the food bank is fighting back. Since 1980, it has been a go-to resource in the community, and it’s definitely a place worth supporting. If you have the funds, consider donating. Every dollar you donate provides seven meals. You can also volunteer your time in the sorting room or organize a food drive. Visit the food bank’s website to learn more about what they need and discover which option is best for you. Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio (HabitatSA.org) This wonderful organization relies on donations and volunteers to build modest, affordable homes for families in need. It also sells building supplies, furniture, and decor through its Habitat Home Center stores to raise money for its efforts. We love the nonprofit’s motto: “We provide a hand-up, not a handout.” Habitat for Humanity is always looking for monetary help, and 100% of all donations go toward its home-building program. If you’re able, you can also volunteer to work in a Habitat Home Center store (there are three local stores), make lunches, or even pitch in with the building process. If you’re not in a position to give this holiday season, that’s okay, too. Cherish the time with your loved ones, and don’t be afraid to reach out to an organization like the San Antonio Food Bank or Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio if you need food or shelter. That’s why they’re here! 2 LOCAL CHARITIES WORTH SUPPORTING
– Michael Packard
2 PACKARDFIRM.COM
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