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November

Monday Motives: Be Thankful

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Close up of gratitude word with pen on notebook

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It’s almost like we can smell the food already. (joke) Okay, maybe it’s just me. Nonetheless, it’s here.

One thing about thanksgiving is that it’s the absolute perfect time to be thankful. It’s the time to live in and show gratitude. It’s time to reflect and be thankful.

It’s so easy to have a bad day. It’s easy to point out all the things that you feel is going wrong. But truth be told, there’s so much to be thankful for. Even if this is a bad time, it’s a great time to be thankful. It seems like we get so caught up in ourselves at times that we forget to smell the roses.

Maybe that’s you. Maybe it’s you that’s been so overwhelmed. Maybe it’s you that’s been beating yourself up for what hasn’t work out for you. Maybe. If that is you, let’s take some time to focus on some great things that life has to offer.

Here’s a list of things to be thankful for:

  1. Waking up today
  2. Family
  3. Parents
  4. Income
  5. A sound mind
  6. Freedom of religion
  7. Time
  8. Laughter
  9. Owning a vehicle
  10. Having a home
  11. Sunshine
  12. Clean water
  13. Love
  14. Art
  15. Challenges
  16. Good/Real friends
  17. A Bed
  18. A Loved one
  19. God
  20. Kind People

This is a small list of things we often times take for granted. Thinking about these things can put you right into a mindset of gratitude. So, whether you’re having a good day or not, know that thinking about what you’re grateful for will totally keep your mind right where it needs to be. Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that mean the most.

-LaShawnda S. Wilkins (@speaklifeshawnie)

Finish Strong

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November has arrived! Yes the month right. Before the year gets ready to end. I mean we have two months left. That’s it! Can you believe it? This year has been something we will never forget. Absolutely strange, to say the least.

In the beginning of this year, we thought this year was full of nothing but greatness. We planned for major events. We were excited! We thought this year was going to be huge for our businesses and careers. I mean WE WERE READY!

And then, BOOM! 2020 really happened. We were lied to by our president, repetitively. We were told everything was fine. Then the truth came out in March. By March 13th, life had officially changed around the world. Thousands of people were dying; due to the spread COVID-19. The world was in shock.

Some countries were handling it better than others. But here we were, in America, at the top of the list with COVID cases and our president was still lying to us (right to our faces). He stated that the virus would be gone by Easter because it was a good day. Easter came and went. Non-essential businesses closed down for the safety of others. School districts closed and became virtual.

Many people were still contracting the virus. Thousands of people were still passing, due to COVID. So then gyms closed, malls closed, movie theaters, and theme parks. Just about anything fun that you could once do freely, closed. Most jobs became virtual. I mean everything was different. The state ordered a Stay Home recommendation and everyone ran to the stores to stock up on tissue and cleaning items.

The world was literally in shambles. As time went on, people began to feel like they wanted to leave their houses. And they did. Stores began to open up with limited capacity; for they wanted to save their businesses.

With hundreds of thousands of people dying, the United States had to make a choice that benefited the health of Americans and the Economy— Stating that the Economy was most important.

Today we still fight that battle. Thousands of people are contracting the virus. Nearly 1.2 million people have died due to the virus globally. We are getting ready to close this year out with horrific numbers.

Truth is, we’ve never been in this situation. Truth is, no one knows what’s going on or what  is to come. Yes, we have to be prepared. Yes, we have to be thankful for each day we can spend with our families. If this year hasn’t taught us anything, it has taught us that we can pass at any given moment. Tomorrow isn’t promised. That’s why we have to make the best out of each day.

Let’s finish this year out right. Let’s finish this year out strong. Let’s tell our loved ones how much we love them. Let’s enjoy each other’s company. Let’s find the true meaning of life. Let’s find ways to be happy. Happiness should outweigh any issues. It should overpower any hiccups. Life isn’t promised to us but let’s make the best of it, in this crazy world.

-LaShawnda S. Wilkins (@speaklifeshawnie)