Counting My Blessings This Thanksgiving Holiday

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest that is now recognized as the first Thanksgiving celebration of Americans. The event was proclaimed by Governor William Bradford in honor of the harvest reaped in the colony following a brutal winter. In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789 as the first nationwide day of Thanksgiving, marking the event as a time of public prayer. Then, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation setting aside the final Thursday in November as a day to be commemorated by all the states. On December 26, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress to change the official day of Thanksgiving from the last Thursday to the fourth Thursday in November.

For more than two centuries, this Thanksgiving day has been honored as a time to acknowledge and express gratitude for the many benefits we have experienced.

As Oprah Winfrey said, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." Just as I do each year, I reflect on all the wonderful things in my own life: fantastically supportive friends, wonderful clients who flourish as we partner for their improved productivity, a solid roof over my head with a beautiful home to surround me and an amazingly warm fireplace amidst these chilly autumn nights, opportunities to see exciting sporting events by teams for which I'm a fanatic and much more.

This year, I am even more blessed... My business is growing solidly, including national speaking engagements, expanding my services offered and adding products. I completed a comprehensive and rigorous training program to be selected as an Evernote Business Certified Consultant, and I was carefully chosen by North Carolina State University's Technology Training Solutions unit as an instructor to provide continuing education for people on how to efficiently and effectively use technology in increasing productivity while sharpening business organization skills. Plus, the 2014 Greensboro LUNGe Forward Run, Walk and Rally for which I served as Event Chairperson raised over $135,000 to decrease deaths and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, awareness, education and access programs across North Carolina. What amazing blessings this year!

Whether you'll be joining a large group of loved ones or celebrating in solitude, no matter if you are on the East or West Coast, whether you are up North or down South, all across the United States of America, please take time to reflect on what blessings you have.

This Thanksgiving holiday, for what are you most thankful?