There is no holiday that we at Smith Mountain Lake (as well as our whole country) celebrate, that provides any greater opportunity to search our hearts and toss out the attitudes that only drag us down. Complaining, negativity, bitterness, anger, grudge-holding, discontent, etc. All these are the opposite of thankfulness and gratitude. And as is always the case, such negative attitudes are always most detrimental to the one who holds them. We must remember that attitude is a choice and I pray more of us will choose right this Thanksgiving and every day.
The unthankful heart… discovers NO mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some God-given blessings! –Henry Ward Beecher
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, BUT TO LIVE BY THEM. –John Fitzgerald Kennedy
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. –Thornton Wilder
You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. –Charles Haddon Spurgeon
O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! — William Shakespeare
How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren to learn about Thanksgiving at an early age. Thanksgiving opens the doors. It changes a child’s personality. A child is resentful, negative—or thankful. Thankful children want to give, they radiate happiness, and they draw people. — Sir John Templeton