I wish Thanksgiving came around more often… it’s a beautiful time of year when we are reminded to not only “feel” thankful, but to also find ways to “express” our gratitude.  So, some might ask, how do you feel thankful when life sometimes feels so hard?  Watch this video and be inspired to find a way.

On that note, I want you to know how thankful I am for you! I value the honor of serving you, our partners, clients and readers and look forward to being able to continue to do so for many years to come.

As my core desire is to inspire and motivate……I hope you will pay this gratitude forward ….and also take just a few minutes right now and share with those to whom you feel gratitude but don’t always take time to say it.  Feel free to submit your thoughts in a comment box below and send others to this page!

That’s right – right now – send a message, leave a voicemail, let someone know how much you care and appreciate them and what they do… right now.

Go ahead…do it now while you can and while it’s fresh on your mind.

Do you see what life holds in store for you today? Do you know how blessed you are?  You have so much to be grateful for. There is so much opportunity for those who can see it. Do you see it?

Watch this short video to open your eyes to the possibilities that lay before you now.http://beattheoddsmovie.com/

If you are still having difficulty finding your own blessings to be thankful for, try asking yourself these simple questions:

• Do you live free today?
• Does someone love you today?
• Have you heard children’s laughter?
• Are you part of a family?
• Do you have your limbs to walk or hands to touch? Or eyes to see? Or ears to hear? A voice to talk? …..Or maybe you are one of the really lucky ones who enjoy all of these gifts from God.

“When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.”
Sam Lefkowitz

The more you think, the more you will realize that you are truly blessed.  Take in this moment…Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday reminding us to be and act thankful every day.

“Stars do not struggle to shine; rivers do not struggle to flow, flowers do not struggle to grow, and you need never struggle to excel in life. You are a child of the universe and have all the resources you need within you to create the life of your dreams. By Gods grace, you deserve the very best, ever and always. Know this.”

Have a wonderful Holiday with many Blessings,

Tamera Aragon

P.S. – I want to encourage you to take time to share this message of hope to others. Just copy and paste this link…. www.TameraREI.com and make someone’s day!

Originally posted 2009-11-25 13:23:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Want to be blessed in 2010?   Remember this! We don’t need to give to get more.  Instead, we need to give more from our heart to others that are needy because it is the right thing to do.

Tithing is the practice of giving away 10% of your income (tithe means “tenth”), usually to a charitable cause.  Some people absolutely swear by the practice of tithing and consider it integral to the process of wealth creation.

Benefits of tithing include:

• Overcoming scarcity thinking. Tithing helps you develop a greater sense of abundance.  By giving away 10% of your income, you’re programming your subconscious to believe in abundance thinking.  This can make you more open and receptive to receiving money.  If you think abundance, you’re more likely to experience abundance.
• Supporting a worthy cause. If the money you tithe is put to good use, you can financially support a cause that’s important to you.
• Achieve greater wealth. Whenever you earn more money, your tithes increase as well, so your cause(s) receive greater financial support.  This can be extremely motivating for some people.

Personally I think some people get too caught up in the specific practice of tithing and lose sight of its real purpose.  Too often I see people feeling guilty about not tithing (or not tithing enough).  Or they develop a love-hate relationship with the practice, feeling compelled to tithe even though they have mixed feelings about it.  They feel they should tithe, but they don’t completely want to tithe.

We have all been commanded to manage our own families, households and obligations. If it comes down to it, these are what should always come first. During these the hard economic times, we all — no matter our denomination –we must remember that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), and you can’t possibly be a cheerful giver if you are starving and your utilities are cut off.

And keep this in mind, tithing money is only one of many ways to serve, but certainly not the only way.  In ancient days, agriculture instead of coins was used for tithing. It’s not money that is the root of evil (actually it is the root of much good).  It is the LOVE of money that is the root of evil.  By giving, you will be blessed knowing you Love the comfort and happiness of others as much as you love yourself. Some people are workaholics. (Who, me?)  Maybe I need to tithe time as much money. Some people spend a life time educating themselves. Maybe it’s time to share that information freely with others.

In summary, if you present circumstance just does not offer you money to give, money is not the only way.  Here are some other ideas.

• Give time. Donate time to a cause you find is worthy.  Perform an act of service.
• Give information. Write articles or start a blog to share your knowledge freely with others who may benefit by it.
• Give talents. Use your skills to help someone who can’t afford to pay for them.
• Give acknowledgement. Smile at people.  Give someone a kind word today.  Acknowledge a job well done.
• Give encouragement. Be supportive of those around you.  Let others know you care about them.
• Give thoughts. Intend the best for other people.  Pray or meditate for others if those practices have meaning for you.
• Give touch. Give someone a pat on the back, a handshake, or a hug.  Give a massage.  Give a night of wild passion.

Have you ever heard this?

• The Golden Rule – Give unto others as you would have them give unto you.
• What goes around, comes around.
• What you sow you reap.
• If you help others to get what they want, others will help you get what you want.
• The More you give, the more you receive.

Or how about serial reciprocity -  where the benefactor of a gift or service will in turn provide benefits to a third party. This is where the term “Pay it forward” comes from.

As we move through these busy holidays and into 2010, I wish you and your family many blessings and a 2010 that is overflowing with abundance as you act in ways that creates the same for others.

Tamera Aragon

P.S. You need to watch these 3-minute videos. They’re life changers. Both messages make a great theme or motto for the New Year – and for your life.  Enjoy…

212° the extra degree® is a powerful philosophy that reminds us how sometimes it’s the smallest things that can make the biggest differences.

Simple. Clear. Actionable.

You can read an excerpt from the book or pick up a copy (20-minute read, at most) at GiveMore.com/212.

SMOVING:

Smile & Move™ is a fun new call-to-action you and your team can use as a reminder to stay focused on the fundamentals of being valuable to each other and to your customers.

It’s all about attitude and action.

Learn about each by visiting SmileAndMove.com or by picking up a copy of the little book at GiveMore.com/smile (20-minute read, tops).

Originally posted 2009-12-23 16:14:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter