The first Thanksgiving in America took place in November of 1621. The September prior, 102 English men and women left England looking for religious freedom and land of their own. After a two month journey, they reached the Americas and suffered through a very arduous winter. Once spring arrived, a Native American named Squanto and a fellow Native taught the pilgrims how to survive and make peace with a local tribe. After such a successful spring and harvest, William Bradford, the settlers’ governor, created a three day celebration between the Natives and new Americans. Thanksgiving was celebrated sporadically in various areas of the nation until 1836, when President Lincoln made it a federal holiday. Thanksgiving is now celebrated every fourth Thursday in November with turkey and all the fixins, American football, and dear friends and family. Below are several of my favorite quotes reminding me to be thankful and count my blessings, twice.

For many, Thanksgiving is a day to remember our blessings and offer thanks to God and others who were there when we needed them. -John C. Maxwell, Author, Speaker, Pastor

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. –Cynthia Ozick, Writer

“Thank you” is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses gratitudes, humility, understanding. -Alice Walker, Author, Activist

When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. –Elie Wiesel, Political Activist, Holocaust Survivor

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. -Oprah Winfrey, TV Personality, Actress, Philanthropist

Be a leader, like those living in gratitude, and move to action TODAY.