As we approach the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush and forget the peace we crave. Many of us learn - hopefully not too late - that it’s impossible to be angry, bitter, hateful, all the bad stuff and at the same time be grateful. Practicing gratitude is a skill, a choice. Sometimes you have to force yourself to look in the mirror, turn your frown upside down, and find one thing (anything) to express gratitude for that day. It could be as simple as being grateful for a sunny day, that your hair is cooperating, or that you have the strength to walk up and down stairs pain free. As soon as you find something to be grateful for, the anxious pit in your stomach plaguing the frown on your face starts to go away. You realize the anger you feel, the bitterness you have been nursing, or the hate that has plagued you starts to melt away. It’s truly impossible to feel terrible once you start to practice gratitude. Your feelings are not facts and don’t stand a chance against the reality of the goodness you start to see around you that you can be grateful for. 

Try it!! Once you start looking or even forcing yourself to find things, anything, to be grateful for while walking through your day, your frown will turn upside down and your heart will become unburdened. Thankfulness is your pathway to peace. It starts on the inside then makes it way to the outside, changing your outlook on life and influencing others for the better. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬