The holiday season is rapidly approaching. The air is filled with busy-ness, planning the traditional turkey feast and endless hours of watching gridiron heroes play football. For many families, this is the one time of the year when they take time to notice the blessings in their lives. As much as my child and I love Thanksgiving, I often wonder:

Why do we only give thanks on Thanksgiving Day?

Do we not breathe life's breath into our bodies each new day?

Does the sun not rise every morning, greeting the day with its warmth and light?

Does the moon not grace the night sky each evening?

Why do we only give thanks on Thanksgiving Day?

Do we not have food upon our tables?

Do we not have a roof above our heads?

Do we not have a bed to rest in?

Why do we only give thanks on Thanksgiving Day?

Do we not know that even in the loneliest of moments we are never alone?

Do we not learn and grow from the challenges in our lives?

Do we not find something to be happy about, even in the saddest of moments?

Why do we only give thanks on Thanksgiving Day?

Do we not hear the sound of the children's laughter?

Does the smell of flowers not fill our noses?

Does the wind not gently kiss our cheeks?

Why do we only give thanks on Thanksgiving Day?

Do we not live in a country where each of us can achieve greatness?

Do we not know that our unique gifts can transform the world and make it a more beautiful place?

Each day we are surrounded by parts of our life to be grateful for. By giving thanks on a daily basis, we change the way we view our lives and we are able to see the possibility in every moment. Each day take a moment with your children to talk about the blessings you experienced that day. Ask them to share what they were grateful for. The more your children can see that the world is full of blessings, the more their attitudes and perspective will shift into the infinite realm of possibility. By aligning your children with gratitude, you can quickly dissolve the "give me, buy me, get me's" that are so prevalent during the holiday season. When we open up our hearts and come from a place of gratitude, every day can be Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving and blessings of peace to all.

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Debbie Milam is the co-creator of "Empowering Our Children: Creating Connected Families, Classrooms, and Communities " . She is an occupational therapist and life coach whose work has been featured in over 300 media outlets including The Miami Herald, Elle, Ladies Home Journal, PBS and The Hallmark Channel. Visit her website for more books and resources to help you be a highly effective parent. Visit her online at www.bestyoucanbe.org and sign up for her newsletter to receive your special report, "Creating Peace Within Yourself and Your Family." © Copyright 2008 Debbie Milam.