Gramma Golden

By now, Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror of 2015 and Christmas is rapidly drawing near.  Which means it’s almost 2016 and time to make New Year’s Resolutions.  According to www.statisticbrain.com, the Top 10 resolutions for 2015 have to do with ‘self’, such as lose weight, get organized, enjoy life to the fullest, stay fit, quit smoking, etc.  But only 8% of the people who make resolutions are successful in achieving them.  

Why?  Probably because they are too vague, not explicit enough, have no structure or follow through, no plan and no self accountability.  They are merely resolution words that are soon forgotten.  Action words that fall flat amidst adversity.

Thanks(for)giving, however, is a catchy word that I made up.  It’s a word that I want to be more mindful of in 2016.  It can mean anything from giving another driver the right of way to bringing a warm meal to a family dealing with a crisis.  It can mean giving your time to drive a friend or family member who is ill to their doctor’s appointment or offering an impromptu dinner invitation to a neighbor recently widowed.  It’s a word that can open your heart to become more involved in volunteer opportunities within the community, church, or local animal shelter or to clean out your closets and donate your unwanted items to a charity organization.  It can mean having a garage sale and using the money to help stock the food pantry or offering weekly assistance in your school district to help students struggling with reading or math. 

Thanks(for)giving is certainly not a vague word.   It is not limited to the number of ideas that can be generated by each individual.   It can be explicit enough from designating the time for doing one act of kindness on a daily basis all the way through to sponsoring a child in need each month of the year. The word has structure and follow through by the fact that it demonstrates action.  Not only will it be appreciated by those on the receiving end of the act, I am sure you will feel a sense of personal satisfaction.   As the sense of satisfaction grows act to act, I am certain you will appreciate the sense of doing for others.  I am guessing you will then feel greater accountability to continue to find additional meaningful opportunities. 

Thanks(for)giving.  It’s fun to say, it’s easy to remember, and it’s necessary for all of us to consider making “Thanks(for)giving” our one and only resolution word for the year.  Who knows, maybe, just maybe the world will become a better place because of it.