Yes, I realize that the month of November has been traditionally set aside as the “official” time of the year to be grateful; and it all culminates around a turkey dinner with lots of mashed potatoes and gravy, topped off with pumpkin pie and whipped cream . . . followed by a nap in front of the TV while the football game noisily concludes and . . .

WAIT A MINUTE!!! NO!!!! Stop this scenario!!

Gratitude is universal, and needs to be present in our lives on a daily basis . . . all 12 months!! Gratitude is the gateway to a positive life. (It is really hard to be angry when you’re grateful.) As Oprah Winfrey shares in her book, This I Know For Sure:

“It’s when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. Gratitude can transform any situation. It alters your vibration, moving you from negative energy to positive. It’s the quickest, easiest, most powerful way to effect change in your life — this I know for sure.”

This poem of mine, GRATITUDE, is found in my book of poetry called HEARTSTRINGS, on page 51, and is here for you to enjoy:

GRATITUDE

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life;
It turns what we have into more.
It’s the healthiest of all the human emotions,
The highest form of thought, and furthermore…

It’s the greatest of virtues, the parent of all.
Gratitude helps us grow and expand;
It brings joy and laughter into our lives.
It makes sense of our past;
We know where we stand.

And as we express our gratitude
We must never forget this wisdom:
The highest appreciation for what we have
Is not to utter the words, but live by them.