Column #117

Thanksgiving is a unique holiday. It’s religious yet it’s not, therefore everyone can participate no matter their faith or lack thereof. This gives everyone an opportunity to give thanks to their creator, benefactors, life in general, or anything they feel good about to bolster their outlook on life.

These columns usually focus on improving health and well-being with diet but Thanksgiving provides an important time to look beyond food and discuss how mental attitudes impact health.

For many people, being thankful and positive doesn’t come naturally. They live in the state of Thanksgiving antonyms such as ingratitude and ungratefulness. These often go hand-in-hand with depression, self deprecation, intolerance, and hate.

In 2015 Joel Osteen published his book “The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today.” Joel Osteen has his fans and detractors, but what does that matter? He often brings up good points about how we can live more fulfilling lives.

His book and “I am” sermon explains how we most often become what we tell ourselves we are. He explains that our creator made us perfect in His eyes, yet we can make ourselves imperfect with our own personal defeatist assessments. Our personal expressions of disenchantment regarding our looks, health, the work we do, age, agility, strength, athleticism, social skills, income strata, mental quickness, and an endless list of other potential imperfections all end up negatively impacting the very attributes we’re so concerned about.

Being thankful needs to extend beyond a prayer given just before partaking of the Thanksgiving feast. Being thankful means to personally express our gratitude for all the many good things and people that have positively impacted our lives. When we do, we automatically feel better. Our weaknesses fade as we recognize our strengths.

Because being thankful has therapeutic benefits, it should be part of our daily regimen. When we first rise, what about feeling blessed for having another new day that is the first day of the rest of our lives? One of my favorite singers is Willie Nelson who was born April 29, 1933. His recent song, “Still Not Dead” is a celebration of sorts for having another day. How often do you get up feeling thankful for your new day and the positive events it has in store?

Napoleon Hill wrote “Think and Grow Rich” in 1937. He didn’t imply that by dreaming about becoming rich means you’ll become rich. Rather he said one must employ 13 principles in the form of a “Philosophy of Achievement.” He also said those principles work for more than just seeking wealth. His approach reminds me of the phrase “God helps those who help themselves.”

Being happy and healthy starts with a positive frame of mind. Being thankful and welcoming each day is important. Implementing the principles of success is the foundation for succeeding in whatever we choose to do.

With positive, fundamental motivational principles you can make this coming Thanksgiving a truly memorable turning point for success. For protection against disease, the fundamentals still call for food that is low glycemic, nutrient dense and diverse, with balanced Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids. Made actionable together, we become stronger and healthier.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

For additional reading:

The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today by Joel Osteen

Pastor Joel Osteen's Full Sermon “The Power of ‘I Am’”

Is Thanksgiving a Religious Holiday?

Gratitude Without God by Emma Gree

Grateful without God: A secular Thanksgiving by Kimberly Winston

Willie Nelson - Still Not Dead - YouTube

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves from Wikipedia

Giving Thanks by Ted Slanker