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What Are You Thankful For?
Say It ... You'll Feel Better
November 23, 2010
 
By John Florian
VoiceOverXtra
 
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday - perhaps it's your favorite, too?
 
I mean, there's the turkey and pumpkin pie and getting together with the family and friends. We always laugh. Eat too much. "Restart the diet tomorrow."
 
It's a relaxed time ( ... I don't do the mall on Friday).
 
And somehow I'm able to think of people who are no longer with us in a nostaligic way - rather than becoming depressed about their loss. My mom's birthday is today - she passed away several years ago. But today I'm dwelling on being thankful for her life.
 
So I guess that leads to why I like Thanksgiving so much. It's garnished with the word "thanks." 
 
An article in this morning's The Wall Street Journal (page D1) explores the science of it all, stating in a subhead:
Grateful People Are Happier, Healthier Long After the Leftovers Are Gobbled Up
The author, Melinda Beck, finds "A growing body of research (that) suggests maintaining an attitude of gratitude can improve psychological, emotional and physical well-being."
 
One study she reports on finds that "The real benefit (of giving thanks) comes in changing how you experience the world. Look for things to be grateful for, and you'll start seeing them everywhere."
 
Hmmm. I think we already knew that.
 
Giving thanks - and giving to others who are less fortunate - makes us feel better.
 
So: What are YOU thankful for this Thanksgiving? Please share your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below.
 
Hey, I'll get the ball rolling ...
I'm thankful for my wife ...  my family ... my health ... a career that lets me passionately follow creative instincts ... and for you! Thank you SO MUCH for being a part of my life.
 
 
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Comments (9)
Bill Nevitt
11/30/2010 at 9:44 PM
Hello John: You said it! I'm so grateful for all the blessings in my life: my spouse, my kids and grandkids and the opportunity to pursue my v/o biz in a free, mostly secure society! What could be better? Thanks to you for the many webinars over the course of the past year. They have been very helpful and will serve me well in the future! Keep up the great work and stay well; THE GOOD OLD DAYS ARE RIGHT NOW! BN
Mark
11/26/2010 at 1:50 AM
Good health, roof over my head, food in the fridge, the internet, diligent agents, karma, microwave ovens.
TJ Jones
11/25/2010 at 3:27 PM
I'm thankful for family, friends, an amazing wife, and a career that is fun every day!
Ken Budka
11/24/2010 at 2:59 PM
A great question, John, I am thankful for your efforts and the great information and support it provides in my growing voice over business.

In addition, I am thankful for my friends and family and the priceless opportunity to share my life with them. I am also thankful for our country and the unlimited opportunities we enjoy as a result of being an American. I am thankful for all forms of technology, the Internet, and the human spirit that continues to refine and improve our world.

The list could go on and on, but this is definitely a start ...

Ken
Jim Rogers
11/24/2010 at 11:25 AM
Thanks for this opportunity, John.....

As you, I have much for which to be thankful ...

Paramount is my thanks for my opportunity to experience life, and all it encompasses! The beauty of the external world and the beauty that exists in the world of our emotions and soul.

The opportunity to glory in love and in being loved, and the unfettered joy of achieving goals once thought to be unobtainable.

Even the pain of disappointment and the loss of family and friends is part of our life's journey!

I'm thankful for being given the gift of life, with its mountains of joy and deep valleys of sorrow and self-doubt. And I'm thankful for the happy accident of being born in the USA!

I know you all share my thanks ~~ and I'm pleased to share in your celebration of Thanksgiving!!!
Anne Ganguzza
11/24/2010 at 10:39 AM
I am thankful for so many things, and truly blessed beyond measure. Thankful for a wonderful and loving husband who supports me in this creative journey, a beautiful and healthy family, and so very grateful to all of my friends in this amazing industry, whose support and encouragement have truly blessed my soul. Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Herb Merriweather
11/24/2010 at 10:24 AM
Where do I begin? Thankful for a loving and forgiving family; a beautiful and devoted wife; friends and co-workers (like YOU) who guide me daily into better business: and a future so bright - I gotta wear shades.
Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving
Paul Strikwerda
11/24/2010 at 6:53 AM
Wonderful words, John.

Thankfulness starts with appreciation, a quality that seems to have become a rare commodity. It's easy not to appreciate the things one takes for granted or that come to us for free. And yet, the things I value most, have no price tag or strings attached to them.

I am extremely grateful for the many ways in which I have been enriched this year. The projects I've been involved with, have given me invaluable insights. New friends, readers, clients and colleagues that came into my life, have made my journey much more worthwhile.

Last but not least, I am thankful for my voice, and for the ability to breathe life into words that can be shared with so many others. I didn’t do anything to deserve it, and every day I do my very best to be deserving of this gift.

Wishing you all a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Liz de Nesnera - Bilingual English/French Voice Talent
11/24/2010 at 12:19 AM
What a great idea, John!

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband, my fabulous friends (you included, John! :-), my clients who keep coming back ,and my mentors who have been - and continue to be - a source of inspiration.

Let's EAT! :-)
Peace! Liz
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