For almost six decades Canadians have been encouraged to pause on the second Monday of October to celebrate the harvest and other blessings. The day’s official proclamation, on January 31, 1957, stated that Thanksgiving was to be “A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.”
The following quotes are worthy to reflect upon as we mark once again, what hopefully is much more than just a day off work but truly a day filled with thanksgiving celebrated with family or friends and good food.
“If you made a list of all the things you could be thankful for, the list would undoubtedly be longer than your misfortunes.” Catherine Pulsifer, from Many Blessings
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward, American writer of inspirational maxims
“We are blessed in so many ways; many things we take for granted but we should stop and be thankful each and every day.” Catherine Pulsifer, from Count Those Blessings
“Thank you consists of just eight letters that form two of the most meaningful words in the English vocabulary.” Doborak Norville, American TV journalist.
Hopefully you’ll take a few moments this Thanksgiving Day, alone or with others, to pause and count your blessings.
Nancy Wales, CSJ