Being grateful and planning for the new year

It's that time of year again. In the U.S., we roast turkeys, make a few other dishes, then sit down to a nice dinner with friends and family until we're completely stuffed! Thanksgiving is so special, and despite the work that needs to be done and the stress that sometimes comes with it, we love it and look forward to it every year. 

• STUFFED - very full

We get to take a couple of days off from work (usually); we get to rest and spend time with the people who are dear to us, and be thankful for all that we have, whether we have a little or a lot. The older I get the more I realize that being thankful is a gift we give ourselves. Acknowledging what we have and being grateful for them is like receiving the gifts once again and realizing their importance in our lives. 

• DEAR - close; important

This time of year is also special because it marks the beginning of the holiday season, and as we approach the end of the year, we start thinking about our new year's resolutions. Being thankful is what Thanksgiving is all about, but we should also begin planning for the coming year, begin thinking of the goals that we want to accomplish and how we are going to accomplish them.

As we countdown to the new year, we should begin making our list of goals for 2015 and think of strategies to meet them. I, myself, want to read more, write more, learn Japanese, work out more, etc. With only 24 hours in a day, I have to come up with a schedule that will somehow put me on track to get things done, so I can be the person that I want to be by the end of 2015.

• COME UP WITH - think of
• PUT SOMEONE ON TRACK - place them on the right path or direction

What about you? Do you celebrate Thanksgiving where you are? Do you think of goals for the next year around this time? How has your English improved in 2014 and how much do you want to move forward in 2015? I want to encourage you to start thinking of strategies that you can use to make your goal a reality. See yourself doing them and start making them part of your routine. Begin the new year putting your plan to use. If you keep at it, you will have a lot to be thankful for next Thanksgiving.

• KEEP AT IT - continue to work hard on something

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!