A Time for Blessing

To bless others is to attract blessings into your life,

and to remember your blessings is to invite contentedness into your heart.

Next week many of us will find ourselves traveling, hosting family members, or seeing friends. Holidays can often times be stressful, but remember the point is to share blessings with your loved ones. Every little thing does not have to go perfectly to share blessings. A blessing can be a hug. Words, center pieces and perfectly cooked meals are not required (thank goodness!)

Take time out from your day today to think of the people you interact with everyday. Do you know what their plans are? Too many spend the holidays alone, forgotten and depressed. The loss of loved ones can be felt strongly at these times, and some can't celebrate with family because they live too far away. Ask others what their plans are. If they're not planning anything, invite them over! Friends and neighbors bless our lives with smiles and their presence each day we see them. Even if someone is less than friendly, the kindness of welcoming them into your home for a meal during a time set aside for gratitude can change a life. The workers at our chow hall took time from their families to serve us Thanksgiving dinner when I was in the Corps, and I've always appreciated them. They're one of the blessings I remember each Thanksgiving for their kindness to our troops.

Take time for each person around your table to share a blessing they've received this year, and one that they'll give to someone else in the coming year. I've been blessed with new love, a new friend, and multiple opportunities to grow closer to my sister. In the coming year I will bless another with a donation to the USO, continuing to teach, and keep sharing my quirky humor.

And a random Turkey Day Fact:

If you're sleepy after eating a big turkey dinner, the reason is tryptophan found in turkey increases serotonin in the brain

and can help some people with sleep.*

Gay Riley has a master’s degree in nutrition and a minor in exercise physiology. She is a registered dietitian and holds a post graduate certification in clinical nutrition. Gay has been in private practice for 27 years specializing in complimentary alternative medicine and functional nutrition.