Korene's Blog

The holiday of Thanksgiving is rooted in gratitude. When the early pilgrims sat down to dinner they gave thanks for their safety, thanks for the food they foraged and grew, and thanks to the Indians for not killing them instantly! They thanked God for the wonders of this magnificent country and they thanked each other for their support, love and kindness, even as they were frightened about the future, afraid of the coming winter, and missing the security they once knew.  Does any of that sound familiar?  

Giving thanks is not a natural impulse. We say thank you when anyone does something nice for us. By the way, did you know that the meaning of ‘nice’ is ‘socially acceptable’?  Saying thank you is not only polite, but it makes people feel good too.

But the gratitude I want to speak about today is self-gratitude. I am grateful to be alive.  I am grateful for a loving family and lots of great friends who give my life meaning. I am grateful for my wonderful clients who trust me to help them shape their lives and finances, for the thousands of experiences, good and bad, that have shaped my life, for the family, friends, colleagues, and referral partners who have shared of themselves while touching my life and help make me into the woman I am today.

Gratitude is the awareness of all the good things that surround us, and which we consciously acknowledge on a daily basis. That’s why I start with the advice to start a Gratitude Journal. It’s a record of where you’ve been, what has inspired you, and who you would like to acknowledge as part of your history. This is YOUR history of the good things in your life. Writing it down is an act of gratitude that keeps on giving. 

I have several gratitude journals, and at Thanksgiving, I sit down with them, and read through all the amazing times I’ve had, blessed by the people I’ve met, worked with, dreamed with, laughed with, shared my life with and the actions I’ve taken to maintain my life of purpose. It is a blessing to reflect on your life from a gratitude perspective.

Being in gratitude is not hard. Even when things may not be going as smoothly as you would like, all it takes is a moment to reflect on what is right, as opposed to what is wrong with your world. In those moments, we find our gratitude. There is gratitude in big things and in small. Sometimes we just have to look harder.

If you are not actively practicing gratitude in your life, start now. I challenge you to keep a gratitude journal. Write five minutes a day on what you are grateful for that day. Write down the people, places, and actions you feel inspired by, thankful for, and pay attention to the effect you have had on others, and that they have had on you. It does not need to be complicated. It can be as simple as a list. 

Keep that going for the next six months at least, and see what it does to your mindset.

Gratitude is an act of positivity, and when we share our gratitude with others, it is the act that keeps on giving. 

Gratitude is not just a receiving vehicle. It’s also a giving one. We feel gratitude in helping others to achieve something, we feel gratitude knowing we can make a difference. That’s why I love the work I do, and why I love delivering a mortgage or refinance to my clients and customers, I love the blogging and marketing that I do that inspires you to think differently, take different actions, and ultimately help you to create a meaningful life.

How many people do you want to help today by giving them a compliment?  How many people can you help to brighten up their day by doing something for them that they didn’t ask for? What does gratitude look like in your life?

At the top of my list right now is my gratitude for the people who came together to help me create an amazing celebration. This year marketed the Twentieth Anniversary of my life. It was interesting, inspiring, and a good time. I am grateful for the way it all came together, for Pastor Robert McFarland for sharing the pulpit, for Darlene Neptune for sharing her talent and testimony, for my brothers and sisters in Christ who shared this night and experience with me. Without the support, love and passion that the family of God, of those who did so much for me during the years of cancer treatments, surgery, and side effects of the treatments and procedures, I would not have been able to see the light at the end of the journey.

My heart and gratitude go to these outstanding people who are here and those who have gone before us:

Dr. Vince Thompson, my extraordinary surgeon who was diligent in the study and perfection of his skill and knowledge.

Dr. David Strong and Dr. Henry Neuman, the talented doctors who took the extra time and care to make my life after cancer fully functional not an existence and made me feel better all the time.

Karen Rausch, for friendship, sisterhood, toughness when needed, and the tenderness not to let me quit when I was too tired to fight any more.

Karmyn Althaus, for stepping out of the role of “little sister” and became chief care overseer to make sure I had the doctors, medicine, care, and support I needed but did not always want or appreciate.

Kenneth Clopine, cousin above and beyond, who changed his entire life to “help however he could” but always with heart and kindness and generosity of time, talents, resources, and optimism.

Myron Clopine, best uncle who reminded me of Biblical truth, promises, heritage, and confidence.

Lyle and Ruth Clopine, my parents who always step to the plate with what they have and then reach inside for more to support, encourage, kick you in butt, and most of all for their prayers.

Darlene and Dennis Neptune, who came from Florida to encourage, share, uplift in word, song, and sharing of struggles endured and victories won.

Jane Linkswiler, who is there and does “where she can” as only a friend does.

Jayne Blondt, who listen to a higher call and said I can help and then did.

Alyce and Terry Johnson, friends who have been true and faithful over many a valley and mountain path.

Andrew John Althaus, you are something special.  Thank your Mom for sharing and giving me a reason.

Dianne and Larry Matthews, who as adopted cousins stood strong and faithful and loving over the years and never let me be anything but true family.

To Friends and Family, Pastors, and fellow believers, who would not and have not let me quit even when I wanted to finally just go home but have held my hand, my heart, at times my mind, and my spirit and kept me going.

And to the family of Evangel Church who have been so open and loving to the teenager in me as friendships and relationships develop and grow and mature as you allowed me to share my heart.

I am truly grateful for all of you, and thankful that you are in my life to help me be the best I can be.

And last, but certainly not least, I’d like to say how deeply grateful I am for your support and love. There are many that are not on this list and even others that have had smaller roles but have never made it to be more

that I’ve never met, but you send me notes from time to time to tell me how grateful your are for the books I write, the coaching I do, and the opportunities to connect with you that are meaningful. I cherish all of them. And for those of you who keep opening these emails, you may not connect with me directly, although I invite you to do that at any time, I would like to thank you for the blessings of your attention.

This Thanksgiving, ask your friends and family what they are thankful for, and share in the wealth of their gratitude. It is a joyous holiday, and I will be sharing it with my friends and family as I take off a few days to rest and relax and recharge.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

In Gratitude,

If you have found this article meaningful, don’t keep it to yourself. Send it along to a friend or a family member that you are grateful for in your life. Tell them how grateful you are to have them there, and then start that Gratitude Journal today. There is much for all of us to be grateful for.