Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Remembering To Give Thanks
By Jan Shaughnessy

It's that time of year again.  Halloween's over, we've turned back the clocks, and now the busy holiday season begins.  Our minds start thinking about turkey dinners and visiting relatives.  You may even be thinking ahead to Christmas right around the corner.  In all this hustle and bustle it's also a perfect time to slow down and smell the roses.  It's a time to take a day to yourself and reflect on your life and everything around you.  So let's take just one day for yourself to reflect, be thankful, and to remember.  It must be away from the office; no computers, no cell phones.  I choose the Smoky Mountains. 

As I look out at the beautiful Smoky Mountains I see blue sky and the beautiful colors of the changing trees.  I hear only the sounds of nature.  It is tranquility.  I first am thankful for good health and that I'm alive.  I'm thankful for the two eyes that I see the beauty I'm looking at, and for the ability to hear the sounds of nature that surround me.  I'm thankful for two arms, and two legs, so I can walk down the path to the bubbling creek and a waterfall.  My thoughts move on to how happy I am for family and friends.  I'm thankful for a husband who loves me and friends who care. Where would you be without them?  I'm thankful for decisions I made when I was younger that allowed me to retire at a young age with a pension and health benefits.  Now, I'm fortunate to work doing something I passionately love.  Can it get any better than that?  Now might be a perfect time to call up a supplier and thank them, or let a BDM know you appreciate all they do.  It's so easy to let them know when things go wrong.  But we often forget to take the time to thank them.

Each day as I turn on the news I hear so much negative.  It's hard to stay upbeat with all the gloom and doom on the status of unemployment, the economy, and the constant bickering among politicians.  We hear stories about horrific crimes and just shake our heads and wonder why.  Natural disasters in places far and near make me thankful I have a warm safe house.  So as I sit here staring out at the beautiful Smoky Mountains, I reflect on all the things I am so thankful for in my life.   I've written a poem and hope you will enjoy it.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Giving Thanks

When I wake up in the morning
I thank the Lord above
For all the things in my life
But most of all his love

I'm thankful for food on the table
And a roof over my head
For clothes in the closet
And a warm cozy bed

Each day when I turn on the news
I hear about bad everywhere
And I thank my lucky stars above
That I'm not living there

I'm thankful I have a job I love
That I go to everyday
And if I become unhappy
I have the right to say

I'm thankful for the men and women
That serve our country proud
it's because of their sacrifice
I can speak my thoughts out loud

I'm glad I live in a country
Where I have the right to choose
And I really hope that it's not
 A right we'll ever lose