Our Can Opener is a very thankful person. And it rubs off on me. (But not Sushi).

I hear it all the time. My human Can Opener telling the little critters to be thankful in all circumstances. You know, to actively look for reasons to give thanks even if you can’t see a reason. Sometimes I think she’s nuts. Ok, maybe she is. But I notice, that when things aren’t going well, and there’s a lot bothering her, if she just thinks about the things that are not as they should be she gets upset.

And there are those times. But I’ve also noticed that sometimes, she feels everything beginning to weigh on her heart, and she starts thanking Jesus for everything she can think of -(and she can think of a lot).

I hear her teaching this to the little ones when they start to grumble and complain. And I notice that when I hear her starting to thank the Lord for something, pretty soon she starts to think of other things she’s thankful for too. And little by little any discouragement, anxiety or frustration melts away.

Why? Because she has deliberately shifted her focus from the things that would weigh her down, to the ways God has been good to her. And it shifts not only her mood, but the atmosphere too.

Here’s what I’m thankful for:

• Bright, sunny mornings with no wildfire smoke clogging my air
• ducks and birds to chase
• mice to hunt
• Fancy Feast
• My warm, cozy bed
• dogs to pick on – What are you thankful for?

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