November- Are you Thankful or Grateful? Is There a Difference?

AHHHH…. November!  Are you Thankful or Grateful?

AHHHH!  Hello November!  It’s time again to set the clocks back, put away my flip flops, and put on socks!  I need to rake leaves (SO many leaves), and plan the menu for Thanksgiving (which I should know by heart since it hasn’t changed in 13 years-sensory issues).  The days are shorter, the air is crisp and cool, and if I’m lucky, I can catch hints of apple butter and campfires riding on the evening breeze!

Our StarCity transforms, as beautiful shades of oranges, yellows, and reds, dance across our mountains and create the beautiful palette of fall.

Such a beautiful backdrop for this time of year, as we are all very busy planning, traveling, and even shopping for the upcoming holidays. (like I SHOULD have started back in March). So, since becoming active in Scouting, my children and I, along with our Unit, actively take time to give back to our community and other organizations who help and serve those in need.  As a mom, I have always tried to teach my boys to not only be thankful for what they have and to others for what they do, not only for them, but for others, and to also be grateful in their everyday lives.  It hasn’t always been easy, but in their generation with all the cool game systems and drones and new cell phones coming out, who wouldn’t want all that shiny new technology?

Well, in this busy time of year, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving come in this beautiful month when the leaves are falling from the trees and the temperature is dropping-which makes this mom want to stay in bed under the covers where it’s warm!  In all the hustle, crowds, and crazy traffic, the boys and I celebrate Thanksgiving with our Pack, Troop, Crew, and then again with each other and stay home, which is why for me, this time is a reminder to slow down; stop and look around, and pay attention to the beauty that surrounds us and the gifts that life has ALREADY given to us.  Things haven’t always been easy, but they could always be worse. I am very thankful and eternally grateful for the little things that didn’t turn into the big things.

In your Units, hopefully you can participate in a Flag Retirement Ceremony and a Veterans Day Parade or assembly., to show your thanks and gratitude. To honor those who vowed to protect and defend our Nation, to preserve Scouting values and ethics, and who lost their lives so that we can live ours, these are great ways to show your thanks and gratitude.  Some Units such as ours, also go out and place Flags on Veteran’s graves. Other ways that Units give back to our Communities is by participating in service projects, not just this time of year, but all year.  Your Unit may choose Thanksgiving to hold a food drive or put together bags with items for the homeless in the area, or donate items for children or Scouts in other areas, but, whichever way your Unit chooses to express thanks and gratitude, let me ask you this…Is there a difference between being Thankful and being Grateful? Are you, as leaders or parents, showing/teaching THANKFULNESS, GRATEFULNESS, or BOTH? (This may prove to be a bigger rivalry than VT vs. UVA!) 

Makes you think, doesn’t it?  Thankful; grateful; I may have to pull out the dusty dictionary for this one. (Yes, I still own one and my boys know that until they can use a dictionary, they can’t use Google)

Personally, I want my children and Scouts to learn and practice BOTH. Being thankful teaches and shows good manners and respect, but without being thankful, you can’t be grateful! Ok, here’s my example…STORYTIME! I have never asked my Scouts to do anything that I myself would not. At Daycamp, when competing a conservation project of raking sand and pulling weeds at Camp Ottari, I was right there on my hands and knees pulling weeds with them. When collecting garbage, raking leaves, wading in rivers, or adorning the oh-so-stylish hairnet while Feeding 10,000-I was right there, doing the SAME JOB THEY WERE, offering help, encouragement, motivation, and enthusiasm!  I am thankful and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Scouting program and our Scouts.  I appreciate and value the time that every person spends with us and their contribution to our lives-not just on certain days, but EVERYDAY! This demonstration of feelings through actions, done daily, a GOOD TURN, is gratitude!

Whatever different ways that you in your personal life or in your Scouting Units chose to show or practice being thankful or grateful, remember that it’s not about the project or parade; it’s not about the turkey or who won the game; it’s about our actions and attitude while doing it.  Are we SHOWING gratitude in our life, because our Scouts learn by example?  Are we leading by that example; by our Scout Oath and Law?  Are we leading by the belief that Scouting is making a commitment to do everything we can to share and build our visions for this program?

They need to see actions, not just hear words. Saying “Thank You” is practicing good manners, taking the time to write a thank-you note is gratitude. Thanking them for pulling weeds and collecting trash is nice and respectful, but getting out there and helping them with a smile and encouragement is gratitude.

-Wishing you and your families a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

˜City Scout Mom

--How is YOUR Unit giving back this time of the year?  Any special ways you show your thanks and gratitude?  I would LUV to hear about them or Do you just LUV November and all its beauty in SW Virginia?  Does your family have any special or unusual dishes for Thanksgiving?  I’m interested in seeing the many ways that we express being thankful and grateful!