| In 1620 120 people boarded two ships, the | | | | of things they could be grateful for. Instead of |
| Mayflower and the Speedwell, for the "New | | | | focusing on the negative these Pilgrim Fathers |
| World". After 64 days difficult journey the | | | | learnt that we could learn to focus on the positive |
| Mayflower was to be the only ship to reach the | | | | and give thanks no matter what the |
| "New World" and the number of people had been | | | | circumstances are that face us. Instead of |
| greatly reduced. Despite these facts and the fact | | | | grumbling and complaining we could be thankful for |
| that many of them were in poor health, they had | | | | those blessings that we do have. |
| arrived too late to plant and harvest a crop and | | | | This day of thanksgiving marked a turning point in |
| were facing many other difficulties they learnt a | | | | the history of the colonists and in the making of |
| very important lesson which has become true | | | | our nation, America. With thanksgiving, hard work, |
| heritage to many people - that of thanksgiving. | | | | the grace of God and help from the Native |
| By the end of that winter only a quarter of their | | | | Americans their colony grew and flourished and |
| number remained, their shelter had not been | | | | they were able to lay the foundations of |
| enough to protect them from the harsh weather | | | | democracy and freedom. |
| conditions and a number of times they had | | | | They not only kept this thanksgiving to |
| suffered attacks from the natives of the land. It | | | | themselves but held a party each year at harvest |
| was at the end of this dark, cold winter that the | | | | time for all the other colonists and so began the |
| few colonists that remained got together and | | | | tradition of having a day of thanksgiving each |
| instituted the tradition of Thanksgiving. | | | | year which has now spread from those original |
| They met to review where they were at and | | | | few colonists to millions of people worldwide. |
| what had happened, and although the | | | | Why not take some time today to give thanks, |
| circumstances looked very grim, one of their | | | | keep a gratitude journal or spend time with |
| number encouraged them, "Yes, all that is so. We | | | | friends and family discussing the things you can be |
| can hang our heads and say, 'Oh woe for us', or | | | | thankful for. If the original colonists could come up |
| we can have the attitude that we made a | | | | with a list of 100 things to be thankful for, how |
| decision, we are here, let's look again and let's look | | | | many more can we be thankful for today? Why |
| for some good things, and let's make the best of | | | | limit this positive attitude of thanksgiving to the |
| what we have. Let's be thankful, let's be joyful | | | | festival of Thanksgiving once a year? Let's try |
| and let's make this grand adventure work." | | | | each and every day to fill our lives with gratitude. |
| So it was that they came up with a new list, a list | | | | |