What are you thankful for?

No matter what religion or relationship people have with something ‘higher’ than themselves, a common thread is always ‘love and gratitude’. I have learned over the years that the more I am grateful for, the better life is.

I’ve always referred to that philosophy: ‘Are you a glass half full or half empty person?’ I see many people with their cup overflowing and others who won’t even acknowledge there is a cup!

Being grateful has allowed me to be so thankful in my life for all that comes my way, especially in the hardest and toughest of times. There are so many private moments I have reached a closed doors and God has always been there for me as a source of comfort, guidance and reassurance. It humbles me when I read ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. (Philippians 4:13)

I am thankful every night we have a roof over our heads. In the winter months as it teems down with rain, I often think of homeless people — how chest infections and pneumonia could strike, and they are unable to access antibiotics. How many of them must have lost all hope and dreams.

The National Day of Thanks is the last Sunday in May (click here for more information). It’s so exciting to be an ambassador for something I do believe that I live out.

I am thankful for all that is currently in m world, for the people and moments yet to come, and for the realisation that waking each morning is a gift. Both my legs work for me to stand up off my bed and my lungs inhale and exhale for me to breathe.

I choose not to be a victim of life but take every opportunity to give thanks for everyone in my life and those whose lives I am privileged to be a part of.

Recently, we took our children to America and purposefully visited downtown LA to show them real people doing it tough. They saw with their own eyes exactly why we tell them it’s so important to be thankful that we have a house to live in and even at the age of four and five, they saw that life is not to be taken for granted.

What are you thankful for in 2016? What excites you to bless someone or encourage someone? Lift them up! Be a cheer leader and thank someone for making a change and positive opening in your world.

As we bring awareness to the National Day of Thanks, take the opportunity to write a letter to someone, or send an email or text, or leave a voicemail and say THANK YOU for a moment they saw light in you and believed in you when you needed it.

Dual Olympian and multiple medallist, Elka Whalan represented Australia in swimming. A regular on channel 7 programs such as Sunrise and Live Well, Elka is also an Ambassador for the National Day of Thanks – celebrated this year on 28 May. Find out more at AusThanks.org.au