Thank you so much for reading my blog today.  My writing would be nothing without you.  For there is a beautiful dance that happens between writer and reader.  It brings me so much joy to dance through life with you.  I hope and pray that you enjoy the dance too.  So I begin to write about giving thanks by saying THANKS to you!

I read an amazing quote today by G.K. Chesterton, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

I believe that Passionate Prayer and Encouragement Uplift People (PEP UP).  Gratitude is such a big part of encouraging and uplifting others.  When we give thanks to others, we are returned with a healthy serving of joy.  As G.K. Chesterton mentions, we receive “happiness doubled”.  Wouldn’t we all love to have happiness doubled in our days?  I sure would.

When I get a great idea in my head, like giving thanks, I get really excited about it.  Then I hit a road block, my first question runs through my mind, how?  How do I go about giving thanks?  Back to the basics I guess: Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) and Planned Acts of Kindness (PAKs).

There are so many ways to communicate today, it makes it really quite simple to randomly thank someone.  Send a text to thank someone for their friendship.  Call a family member to thank them for all they have given you.  Thank the server at your restaurant for tending to your needs.  Send a facebook message to a contact to tell them how much you appreciate the quotes they post.  Thank the next cashier you encounter for doing their job.  Make Thank You your phrase of the day; see how many people you can uplift.

There are also so many ways that you can plan to say thank you in bigger ways.  Remember, the more you give, the more you receive.  I can’t explain why that is, but I know it’s true.  Write a card to someone, send them flowers or make them their favorite dinner.  Think of crazy reasons to say thank you, ones that people won’t think of.  Call up a friend and thank them for the way they love their spouse, because they are a positive influence on couples around them.  I once brought someone a Dairy Queen blizzard to say thank you for being a veteran, to give thanks for the way he had protected my country and family.

Now chances are they may wonder about your motives, let them know its only because you are grateful.  It’s odd how accustomed people are to hearing the negative in life.  They expect it.  But what a surprise to be positive for no reason at all.  People may also shower you with thanks.  Simply say, “You are Welcome.”  That’s all that’s required.

If you would really like to challenge yourself, give God thanks.  Praise Him for all that He gives you for just one day.  Give thanks for all the needs He meets.  Pray thanks to God for all the people He puts in your life, give thanks for a specific friend.  Offer to pray thanks for a friend or family member when you are with them.  God listens to these prayers and responds in awesome ways.  I can guarantee you can not out give the Great Giver.  Not to mention that it usually brings joy to those listening.

It seems to me the best way to close today is with a prayer of thanks for you!

Dear Lord, thank you so much for the technology, time and energy that it takes to write.  More so God, thank you for my dear readers.  May their days be blessed with encouragement, with joy and with overflowing gratitude.  May they be uplifted and may they uplift others today.  Thank you for all you have given us.  Amen